Traditional Folk Crafts and Handicrafts of the North-East Caucasus in the Context of Ecotourism Development

The North-East Caucasus is a unique cultural region which represents significant interest for tourism. This study identifies and cartographically visualizes spatial variations in traditional folk crafts, taking into account the ethnogenetic characteristics of the territory. The research results demonstrate that folk crafts and handicrafts have been predominantly preserved in mountainous and highland areas. Jewelry-making has flourished for centuries in the mountainous districts of Dagestan (Laksky, Khunzakhsky, Dakhadayevsky, etc.), as well as in the Nazranovsky district of Ingushetia. Hand-woven carpet production persists mainly in the south-east part of the study area (Dokuzparinsky, Akhtynsky, Kurakhsky and other districts of Dagestan). Artisans specializing in felt products can only be found in a few districts of Chechnya (Vedensky, Nozhay-Yurtovsky, Shalinsky), Ingushetia (Malgobeksky), and Dagestan (Nogaysky, Botlikhsky). Analysis of the distribution of folk crafts in relation to ethnogenetic regional types of the North-East Caucasus revealed that homogeneous or adjacent districts are characterized by similar crafts and handicrafts. Mountainous areas preserving folk art and traditional crafts hold potential as centers for developing various forms of ecotourism, which would positively impact local employment. The article also demonstrates the crucial role of ecotourism in preserving the historical and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples in the North-East Caucasus amid contemporary geopolitical, geoecological and socioeconomic challenges.