Once Abandoned, A Tiny Azerbaijani Village Survives

A boy rides a donkey in the village of Deman, near the Iranian border.

According to the locals, Iranian armed forces stormed the village in 1948, but were pushed back by the Soviet army.

After reaching an agreement with Iran in 1953, the Soviet government decided to strengthen its border by creating a neutral zone between the two countries' borders. Most of Deman fell into this zone.

The residents of Deman were relocated from the border zone to the city of Shirvan. But a few stalwart residents fought for the right to return, which was eventually granted by the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan.

Today, just 99 people live in the village.

The one-room elementary school in Deman, which has two teachers and seven students.

A view inside the one-room schoolhouse

Most residents make a living by raising sheep, goats, and cattle.

The unoccupied zone is used as pastureland, but residents must receive special permission and cross through border checkpoints in order to reach their herds.

Residents say they are weary of the constant border checks.