Main Aspects Of Egnate Gabliani (1881-1937) Life And Deeds

Abstract

The national activities of Egnate Gabliani and his scholarly heritage have a great importance for Georgian culture. Egnate was a scholar, archeograph, one of the founders of Georgian ethnography, public man of wide range of activities: outstanding representative of Georgian national movement during the Russian and later Soviet occupation, one of the leaders of Svanteian antibolshevik uprisings (in 1921-1924). At the same time Egnate was a publicist. His several papers are published in Georgian periodical editions. His name is associated with the chronicles of collection and preservation of Svanetian antiquities: he is a founder of upper Svaneti historical -ethnographic museum; collector of museum anthologies (Christian artifacts, manuscripts, furniture, martial and economic tools, other supplies). The important
fact of Egnate’s life is his involvement in the construction of the Lenkheri motorway,
building of the bridge to Samegrelo etc. The monographs and articles of Egnate Gabliani are valuable for Georgian ethnography, he describes and analyzes almost all elements of Svan traditional everyday life and culture: history of Svaneti, social being, historical monuments, folk architecture, churches, monasteries, traditional low, religious festivals, rituals, etc.