Dagestan, a republic in Russia, holds a rich cultural and historical significance. Its inhabitants are referred to as Dagestanis. However, there are several synonyms for the term which are used depending on the context and the language. In Russian, Dagestanis are called daghestantsy or dargins, a reference to one of the ethnic groups in the area. In Avar, another language spoken in Dagestan, the term for the inhabitants is darhwa. Historically, Dagestanis have also been referred to as "mountain jews" due to a historical community of Jews who resided there. Overall, the term Dagestani is a convenient way to refer to the people of this region, while the synonyms show the diversity and complexity of the various groups inhabiting the region.