Ethnographic Expedition Of Nakra-lakhamula
Abstract
Materials of 2017 ethnographic expedition of Nakra –lakhamula are one of the original sources to study the history of ethnicity of Georgians, their traditions and agricultural relations, also the influence of modern life on it. We can explore:
1. About the resistance of Svanetian people against the invasion of “tatars” (that’s the name of enemy for Svanetian people) and their relations with North Caucasians.
2. Georgian Self-consciousness, Native Georgian domestic speech. “People of Svaneti used to speak Georgian language even in times of formation of the country. Svanetian language is precious also for other parts of Georgia since it conveys large part of our history”.
3. Sepi and Lankvab -the part of Svanian life from traditional and modern perspectives. Sepi is a place associated with traditions, friendly relations, sacral
values. The meaning of Lankvab is sismlar to Sepi, it’s the place for meeting and discussions.
4. National-traditional forms of farming, new economic relations of modern agriculture, faith-religiousness, the main sign of mentality of a Georgian farmer.
5. “Outer world replete with religious beliefs, evil forces “. It’s proved that traditions conveying the fear and owe towards the God have the function of retaining old Georgian traditional behaviors and attitudes, old way of living.
6. The proper names and territorial-neighboring communities;
7. Reasons for diminishing nuclear families, a modern family portrait.
8. Types of housing
9. Traditional and modern models of a social gender
10. Marriage-wedding and funeral-mourning traditions
11. Traditional model of justice
12. Svanetian folk culture
13. Svanetian touristic product;
14. The environment and the system of raising the future generations in accordance with the religious and cultural life and social regulations.
Evolutionary development of folk habits, rituals and traditional norms correspond to the same components of foreign cultures. Modern retrospection of ancient cultural values will contribute for retaining ethnic Georgian introspection and the right formation of the national thought.
