1.   The culture has vigorous roots and a warrior tradition.

2.   The fiercely independent Chechens, who have a long warrior tradition, have said they will take to the mountains to defend their homeland once Grozny falls.

3.   The fiercely independent Chechens, who have a long warrior tradition, have said they will take to the mountains once Grozny falls to defend their homeland.

4.   The islanders also had rich cultural and warrior traditions to draw on, and those traditions help bolster team morale.

5.   Ingushetia used to be linked to Chechnya and the two tiny republics are mostly Moslem and have a long warrior tradition.