The '''Karimi''' or ''' Keremi''' (Crimeans) were once famous as merchant '''Kermikhiones''' who controlled the trade routes through Crimea (Persian: Karima). They are a Quasi-Subbotnik type of Karaimite.
Jewish communities existed in many of the Greek colonies in the region during the late classic period. Recently excavated inscriptions in Crimea have revealed a Jewish presence at least as early as the 1st century BCE. In some Crimean towns, monotheistic pagan cults called Hypsistarians or sebomenoi theon hypsiston ("Worshippers of the All-Highest God," or "God-Fearers") existed. These quasi-proselytes kept the Jewish commandments but remained uncircumcised and retained certain pagan customs. This became the basis of the Crimean religion of the Karimi which was adopted by Khazars.
