What Should You Know about Georgian Culture?

The history, culture, and traditions of a country define its uniqueness. Georgia, located to the east of the Black Sea, has a rich heritage. The country stands out with its distinctive traditions and vibrant culture. The best way to experience Georgian culture is to visit. Before you decide to go to Georgia, I’d like to share some important information about it.

One of the most striking aspects of Georgia is its harmonious blend of antiquity and modernity. Additionally, its unique location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has contributed to the country’s cultural diversity.

• Archaeology: Georgian Culture Is One of the Oldest in the World
• The Georgian Alphabet: A Vital Part of Georgian Culture
• Georgian Folklore: An Integral Part of Georgian Culture
• Georgian Supra
• Georgian Architecture

Archaeology: Georgian Culture Is One of the Oldest in the World

Archaeologists have made several significant discoveries in Georgia, including the earliest evidence of Europeans and the world’s oldest wine.

The First Europeans Came from Georgia

The town of Dmanisi, located 80 kilometers from the Georgian capital Tbilisi, became the site of a sensational discovery in 1991. Georgian scientist David Lortkipanidze and a group of international researchers uncovered the earliest known human remains in Europe. Even before this, Dmanisi had attracted the attention of scientists in the 1960s. In 1984, they discovered primitive tools that early humans had used there.

In 2001, French paleoanthropologist Michel Brunet discovered the oldest hominid in Chad (Africa), dating back 7-6 million years, which makes it the oldest hominid on Earth. Researchers named the remains found in Dmanisi in 1991 Homo erectus georgicus, classifying it as a subspecies of Homo erectus. Scientists have identified these bones, dating back 1.8 million years, as directly related to early African hominids.

The team of scientists spent about eight years studying the bones found during the excavations. Eventually, additional parts needed to assemble the skull were discovered.

The scientists reconstructed the bodies piece by piece and obtained images of a man and a woman. Their names were chosen as Zezva and Mzia.

In 2014, the best-preserved, virtually intact skull of Homo erectus was discovered in Dmanisi, further increasing interest in the town.

The Oldest Wine in the World

Many countries hold wine in high cultural and historical regard, and people have enjoyed it as one of the oldest alcoholic beverages.

Georgian culture has a deep connection to wine, as the oldest wine remains in the world were discovered in Georgia.

According to research, the oldest traces of wine in Georgia date back to an 8,000-year-old vessel.

During archaeological excavations in Georgia, scientists also unearthed ancient qvevri, vessels used for winemaking. It’s worth noting that the qvevri winemaking technique is still in use in Georgia today.

The Georgian Alphabet: A Vital Part of Georgian Culture

The official language of Georgia is Georgian, and its alphabet is one of the oldest in the world, recognized as one of the 14 scripts globally. On November 30, 2016, UNESCO added the Georgian alphabet to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Throughout history, the Georgian alphabet has evolved through three types of writing: Asomtavruli, Nuskhuri, and Mkhedruli (the script used by Georgians today).

The exact date of the creation of the Georgian script is unknown. Georgian historian Leonti Mroveli proposed a theory in the 11th century that credits Pharnavaz, a 3rd-century BC king of Iberia, with creating the first Georgian alphabet.

Georgian scientist Ivane Javakhishvili researched the origins of the Georgian alphabet and concluded that its roots lie in the pre-Christian era.

The Georgian language is known for its precision, as each letter corresponds to a sound and is pronounced as it is written.

The oldest Georgian inscription dates back 430 years. Italian archaeologist Virgilio Corbo discovered it between 1950 and 1952 during excavations in Palestine.

Near Bethlehem in the Judean Desert, researchers found the ruins of a Georgian monastery with three Georgian inscriptions. One inscription is intact, while two are in fragments. The Franciscan Museum in Jerusalem currently preserves the ancient Georgian inscription.

Georgian Folklore: An Integral Part of Georgian Culture

Like that of many other countries, Georgian culture boasts a rich folklore that has developed over centuries.

Georgian Polyphony

Georgia has gifted the world with its unique polyphony and mesmerizing dances.

Georgians created songs for every aspect of daily life and passed them down orally to their descendants. Today, UNESCO recognizes Georgian polyphonic singing as a masterpiece of oral tradition and the intangible heritage of humanity.

Georgian folk songs have been polyphonic since ancient times, as documented in numerous written sources. A Georgian folk song can have anywhere from one to four voices.

The genres of Georgian folk songs are rich and diverse. There are three main genres: the first is related to labor, both individual and collective; the second is epic, telling the stories of heroes from folk tales and myths; the third is ritual, which includes three subgenres: cult, calendar, and every day.

All 15 regions of Georgia have their own original and unique songs, adapted to their dialects. These songs date back to ancient times and tell the grand history of the country.

Chakrulo

One cannot overlook the masterpiece of Georgian culture and polyphony, “Chakrulo.” In 1977, this folk song was launched aboard the Voyager 2 space satellite to journey through the solar system. Legendary American scientist Carl Sagan originated the idea, aiming to create a project with NASA. Engineers planned to launch a rocket from Earth, carrying extensive information about our planet and its inhabitants.

Scientists created a “golden disk” to store a wealth of information. Along with natural phenomena, photos of people and animals, mathematical formulas, and other data, they included 27 carefully selected songs. Voyager 2 now travels billions of kilometers from Earth, continuing its journey into infinity.

Georgian church hymns are also remarkable. Many centuries ago, musicians laid their foundations, and people can still hear them in Georgian churches today. These hymns developed both locally and in churches and monasteries outside Georgia.

Brilliant Georgian Dances

Georgia is renowned and loved worldwide for its beautiful dances. Performers in exquisite national costumes captivate audiences everywhere with these dances. As a result, concerts on the world’s largest stages always sell out. One cannot help but be enchanted by such a stunning spectacle.

Dance holds an ancient place in Georgian culture, as confirmed by numerous written and archaeological materials. Scientists discovered a clay vessel dating back to the 6th-5th millennia BC. It depicts scenes that suggest Georgians had a culture of spectacular performances 6,000 years ago. Dance, therefore, occupied a significant role.

Each region of Georgia features its characteristic dance. These dances tell different stories through beautiful costumes and graceful movements. Georgian dance shares tales of love, heroism, friendship, and more. Performers execute the dances using various techniques, accompanied by beautiful music played on traditional instruments.

Four dances have received the status of Georgia’s intangible heritage: Adjarian Gandagana, “Georgian Dance” (“Tsekva Kartuli”), Khorumi, and Ferkhuli.

Georgian National Dance Ensembles

Every city in Georgia has its national dance ensemble. Each ensemble is unique, with the best choreographers leading them. Among them, the most famous and outstanding are “Erisioni,” “Rustavi,” and, most notably, “Sukhishvili,” the pride of Georgia.

The contributions of Iliko Sukhishvili and his wife, Nino Ramishvili, to Georgian culture and dance are invaluable. Through their tireless work, they staged many new dances. They traveled across the country, discovering, recreating, and developing numerous moves and dances. Their legacy continues today through their grandchildren, the younger Iliko and Nino Sukhishvili. If you visit Georgia, attending a Sukhishvili concert is a must.

Georgian Mythology

Have you heard about Georgian mythology? Did you know that the Greek titan Prometheus has a Georgian counterpart? His name is Amiran. Mount Khvamli, where Zeus chained Prometheus, is located in Georgia. Interestingly, the myth of Amiran existed long before Greek mythology. It dates back to the 30th-20th centuries BC and is recorded in archaeological findings.

Amiran is the son of Dali, the goddess of hunting, and an unknown mortal hunter. In some versions, his father is a blacksmith or an ordinary peasant. There is also an Abkhazian version where Amiran is immaculately conceived.

Myths tell of his many heroic deeds. He fought alongside his friends, Badri and Usip. Due to a battle with God, Amiran was chained to the Caucasus Ridge. An eagle constantly tears at his chest, while a loyal dog licks the chain, trying to free the hero. But every year on Holy Thursday, divine blacksmiths renew the chain.

The Myth of the Argonauts

The myth of the Argonauts is well-known in Georgia. You’ve likely heard of the famous play by the ancient Greek tragedian Euripides, “Medea.” The story of Medea begins in Georgia. She was the daughter of Aeetes, king of Colchis. Aeetes’ father was Helios, the Greek god of the sun.

Medea’s name is closely linked to medicine. Like her aunt Circe, she was considered “the greatest sorceress in the world,” and keeper of the secrets of herbs and medicines.

A group of heroes from Greek mythology, known as the Argonauts, set out for Colchis. Their goal was to obtain the “Golden Fleece” from Aeetes. To achieve this, the hero Jason, son of Aeson, needed to complete three seemingly impossible tasks. He sought the help of the beautiful Medea, who, in exchange, wanted to marry Jason and leave her homeland with him.

Of course, Georgian mythology includes much more than just the myth of the “Golden Fleece” and the epic of Amiran. It is vast and comprehensive. Mostly preserved orally, it began to be studied by scientists quite late.

Georgian Poetry and Folk Tales

Can you imagine the folklore of any country without poems and fairy tales? Probably not. In this regard, Georgia is also rich. It’s amazing to hear declarations of love and various stories told through the rhymes of poetry. Georgian fairy tales are especially intriguing, with stories about heroes, love, the struggle between good and evil, dexterity, and fidelity.

Original folk poetry in Georgia was syncretic and ritualistic, combining dance, song, and poetry. Evidence of this syncretic art appears in the silver cup of Trialeti, dating from the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. The dance depicted on the cup resembles the ferkhuli, a type of dance that still exists in Svaneti. Georgian tribes lived in this region at that time, suggesting that the first Georgian verses likely originated here.

In the mountainous regions of Georgia, the tradition of poetic disputations called “kapiaoba” and “shairoba,” has survived to this day.

The collection of Georgian folk tales began quite late, in the second half of the 19th century. Prominent Georgian writers, scientists, and public figures contributed significantly to this work. Among them were Akaki Tsereteli, Yakob Gogebashvili, Ekvtime Takaishvili, Petre Umikashvili, and others.

Parents often tell children famous Georgian tales such as Komble, Ash-raker, Sizmara, Tsikara, The Flea and the Ant, One and a Half Handfuls, and others.

Georgian Supra

Let’s be honest! Most visitors to Georgia first get to know the country through its cuisine and dishes.

The Georgian supra is listed as an intangible cultural heritage monument. It is both an art and a ritual. The Georgian supra can be festive or mark somber events.

The Georgian supra impresses with its diversity. Depending on the region and occasion, the sequence of dishes and the order of toasts may vary. Whether for good or bad times, the menu and tone may change, but the core philosophy—sharing food and sitting together—remains the same.

Tamada is an integral part of the Georgian table. This person is the host, responsible for giving toasts and ensuring the table rules are followed. The Tamada tradition has no analogs in the world.

Each region of the country will treat you to authentic dishes and wine. In the capital, Tbilisi, you can find restaurants of any type to suit your taste. Visit Kakheti to try the largest variety of wines paired with local dishes. Mountainous regions will surprise you with stunning nature, delicious Khinkali, and unique traditions. Racha, known for its tasty beans and expensive Khvanchkara wine, will leave no one indifferent. Adjara, with its stunning views of the sea and mountains and delicious Adjarian cuisine, is a real paradise.

The Blue Tablecloths

The tradition of The Blue Tablecloths held great importance. It served as a distinctive part of Georgian life and was used across all levels of society. Researchers believe that artisans brought the tradition of making blue tablecloths to Georgia from Iran and India. Craftspeople made these tablecloths from cotton or linen. Traditional blue tablecloths featured a mix of blue and white, with ornaments often depicting images of animals, birds, plants, and men and women in traditional clothing.

Georgian Architecture

Georgian culture is marked by architectural diversity. Its folk architecture varies by region, shaped by natural and social conditions.

Castle-type dwellings are particularly interesting. These are found in mountainous regions, especially in Svaneti, Khevi, Pshavi, and Khevsureti. In these areas, peasant houses served residential, agricultural, and defensive functions. Many tourists visit Svaneti to see the Svanetian towers set against picturesque landscapes.

Oda-type houses were common in Western Georgia, with a history dating back to the second half of the 19th century. Wealthy peasants initially built these homes. A key feature of the Oda house was the central placement of fireplaces, around which rooms arranged. The Oda had a square shape, typically consisting of 3-6 rooms, and was constructed of wood. It featured windows, a wooden balcony, a ceiling, and a floor.

Georgia is located at the crossroads of Christian and Eastern religions. Since the 4th century, when the country adopted Christianity, it has aligned itself with the West. This marked the beginning of church architecture in Georgia. Many unique Christian monuments have been preserved to this day.

The architecture of Tbilisi is known for its special beauty. The city is a blend of history and modernity, which captivates all tourists. The wooden balconies of Old Tbilisi, the “Italian courtyards,” and the narrow streets give it a unique charm.

Conclusion

You can write endlessly about Georgian culture. I’ve shared a lot about this beautiful country, but seeing is better than reading. So, pack your bags and visit the different cities and villages of Georgia. Don’t forget to try the delicious food and wine. Make sure to watch Georgian dances and listen to polyphonic songs. In the various regions of Georgia, the hospitable locals will share many fascinating myths and stories.