Ичкерия

• According to one version, from Chechen Искаьрк (İskärk), a minor stream flowing into Belka, a tributary to Sunzha. The toponym was, however, originally an exonym to the Chechens, who referred to the landscape as Нохчи-мохк (Noxči-moxk, “Chechen lands”) instead[1] and the form with a ч rather than with a с is likewise difficult to explain. Occasionally, the toponym has also been used in Russian 19th century-sources as Искерия (Iskerija), which is easier to reconcile with this etymology.[2]

• An etymology going back to Chechen исс (iss, “nine”) with the overall meaning of "nine lands" has been proposed too (ibid.), but is likely a folk etymology.

• A likelier origin is the Kumyk ичгери (içgeri, “inner, interior”).

• IPA^(key): [ɪt͡ɕˈkʲerʲɪjə]

Ичке́рия • (Ičkérija) f inan (genitive Ичке́рии)

1. Ichkeria

• ичкери́ец (ičkeríjec), ичкери́йка (ičkeríjka)
• ичкери́йский (ičkeríjskij), ичке́рский (ičkérskij)

• → English: Ichkeria