Gajals
Gacallar | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 300,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Bulgaria | |
| Languages | |
| also: Bulgarian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Gagauz, Turkish people and Azerbaijanis |
Gajals or Gadzhals (Balkan Gagauz Turkish: Gacallar) are a Turkic ethnic group living mainly in the Eastern Balkans and Turkey. Gajals mainly settle in the northeastern Ludogorie region of Bulgaria, as well as in the region of Eastern Thrace. Because of the Turkic language, and the Islamic faith, Gajals are usually ranked as a subgroup among Turks. Balkan-Gagauz is the main language, and the total number of Gajals is about 300,000 people, including about 20,000 native speakers. They are believed to be descendants of Pechenegs and Cumans. They are closely related to the Gagauz people, leading to claims that they are both essentially the same people, with the only difference being religion.