Jek — A Mountain Village with Its Own Language

Jek is a small village high in the mountains of the Quba district, not far from Khinalug. Its people speak Jek, one of the Shahdag languages, spoken by only a few hundred people.

What makes it special

• Language and traditions. Jek belongs to the Lezgic group and is endangered — here you'll hear it spoken every day.
• An old mosque — said locally to be one of the oldest in the area.
• Stone houses stepped up the slope and flocks of sheep on high pastures.
• Food — mountain dishes, cheeses and herbal tea.

Getting there

The drive from Quba takes about 1.5–2 hours on winding mountain roads. You'll need a sturdy car and a calm driver who knows the route; the road can close in winter.

Jek pairs well with Khinalug — together they show what life in Azerbaijan's mountain villages is like.