Polyamide, whose main chain contains a chemically bound amine selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-1,5-diaminopentane and 1-amino-2-R-cyclopent-1-ene, where R is a functional group capable of combining with an amino group to form an amide group,and processes for preparing such a polyamide and fibers, films and moldings comprising such a polyamide.