ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Krymchaks

Krymchaks are a group of people who live mainly in the Crimean Peninsula, which is a piece of land that sticks into the sea in Europe. They have their own language and their own customs, which means they do things in special ways different from yours or mine.

A long time ago, the Krymchaks were part of a larger group of people called the Crimean Karaites. However, over time, the Krymchaks began to separate themselves from the Karaites because they had different beliefs and practices. The Krymchaks were not a very big group, so they lived in small villages and towns around the Crimean Peninsula.

The Krymchaks have a very interesting history. They were the only group of Jews in Eastern Europe who were allowed to own land during the 1800s. This was a very important time for them because it allowed them to become successful farmers and merchants. However, things took a turn for the worse when the Soviet Union took over the Crimea in 1954. The Soviet Union was not kind to the Krymchaks, and many of them were sent to Siberia where they died.

Today, the Krymchaks are recognized as an ethnic group by the Russian Federation, which means they have rights to practice their own religions and speak their own language. They are also considered an official minority in Ukraine. So, even though they have gone through some tough times, the Krymchaks are still alive and thriving in the world!
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