Bezhtintsy

a small ethnic grouping in western Dagestan. The Bezhtintsy live in the settlements of Bezhta, Khocharkhota, and Tliadal in Tsunta Raion. By origin, customs, and culture they are close to the neighboring Avars, with whom they have been consolidated. The spoken language of the Bezhtintsy belongs to the Avaro-Ando-Didoic group of Dagestani languages. The written and literary languages are Avarian and Russian. Bezhtintsy believers are Sunnites. The main occupations of the Bezhtintsy are agriculture and cattle raising.