This early XX century postcard depicts a group of Ossetians — representatives of one of the most ancient peoples of the Caucasus, descendants of the Alans, an Iranian-speaking nomadic people who migrated to the mountain regions of the Central Caucasus more than a thousand years ago.
Over the centuries, the Ossetians have preserved a unique culture that combines Iranian roots with elements of Caucasian tradition.
Their homeland, Ossetia, lies high in the mountains, stretching across both sides of the Greater Caucasus Range, between the upper reaches of the Terek and Aragvi rivers.
For centuries, the Ossetians have been renowned for their communal solidarity, respect for elders, and a distinct code of honor — “ægʒdaw” — which governed social relations within their communities.
The female ideal emphasized modesty, dignity, and industriousness, while boys were raised from an early age in the spirit of responsibility and reverence for their kin.