Georgian People: Country Name Origin, History and Language

The history of the Georgian state begins over 3,000 years ago. The country's name changed, and territorial changes occurred. Over the course of many years of development, a unique nation emerged on the territory of today's Georgia—the Georgian people.

The territory where Georgia is located is unique and inimitable. It's no wonder there's a legend that, in gratitude for their honesty and for inviting them to the celebration of the creation of the world, God gave the Georgians a small, beautiful piece of land on the shores of the Black Sea, which He reserved for Himself.

History of the state

The first community of Georgian tribes, the Diaokha, arose in Transcaucasia approximately four thousand years ago. According to historians, this ancient union marked the beginning of Georgia. Various sources refer to these lands as Colchis, the Laz Kingdom, and the Western Georgian Kingdom.

In the eastern territories of historical Georgia, the Kingdom of Kartli, or Caucasian Iberia, emerged in the 4th century BC. The strengthening of Iberia (Iveria), the unification of the Megrelo-Chan tribes living in the Kingdom of Colchis in the western part of today's Georgia, was decisive for the formation of Georgian statehood.

The formation of the Georgian state was virtually complete between the 6th and 10th centuries:

• The historical territory is consolidated;
• centralized power is strengthened;
• a common culture is formed;
• the Georgian language spreads, becoming the primary language for all tribes and peoples;
• a unified nation is formed.

Origin of the name

There are several versions of the origin of the country's name:

• Sakartvelo is the land of the Kartvelians or Kartli;
• The name is associated with the name of Saint George, the most popular saint in Georgia. In the Middle Ages, there were 365 churches dedicated to Saint George across the country.
• The Arabic-Persian version of the name's origin is from the word "gorg" meaning wolf, which was depicted on Vakhtang Gorgasali's helmet. The country of wolves is Gurjistan, and the word subsequently evolves into Gurjan, Gurzan, and Georgia.

Formation of the Georgian ethnic group

Historically, the Georgian people began to emerge as early as the first century AD. Its origins remain controversial. Modern scholars rely on the testimony of ancient historians, but these accounts are not always reliable.

A unified Georgian people began to unite in the territories of Western and Eastern Georgia. Historians identify three main factors that significantly influenced the formation of Georgian statehood.

1. The strengthening of Iberia in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD and the unification of the Megrelo-Chan tribes that inhabited western Georgia;
2. The adoption of Christianity by the Georgian people;
3. The creation of a national written language.

The formation of the Georgian ethnic group was completed at the turn of the 6th and 10th centuries. This period was characterized by the strengthening of tribal culture, the spread of the Georgian language, and the consolidation of the territory of the western regions within the Georgian state. Thus, a unified people shared common traditions, everyday life, and cultural characteristics, as well as a sense of national unity.

Theories of the origin of Georgians

1. Historical

1.1. According to historian L. Mroveli, Targamos, son of Noah, can be considered the progenitor of the peoples of the Caucasus. Targamos had eight children, from whom the Caucasian peoples descended, and his son Carlos was the ancestor of the Georgians.

1.2. According to the chronicle "The Conversion of Kartli", the roots of the eastern Georgians are in the ancient state of Arian-Kartli.

1.3. Herodotus wrote that the ancient Georgians were descended from the Egyptians. This theory has no scientific basis.

1. Scientific

2.1. Historian Ivane Javakhishvili suggests that the country's indigenous people share a common ancestry with all the peoples of the Caucasus. The settlement of the Caucasus territories occurred gradually, with tribes arriving from the south. This process was completed around the seventh century BC. This theory is widely accepted, but it is not supported by archaeological excavations.

2.2. Simon Janashia's hypothesis is based on the relationship between Georgians and Spanish Basques.

Sub-ethnic groups and nationalities

Georgians are three main sub-ethnic groups with their own languages:

1. Megrelians, sometimes called "Mingrelians," are considered the most mysterious people. They are the largest ethnic group in the country. The independent Principality of Samegrelo (Megrelia) existed on the territory of Colchis, or Western Georgia. In the Middle Ages, it was ruled by the Dadiani princely dynasty. In the early 19th century, the principality accepted Russian citizenship and in 1857 became part of the newly formed Kutaisi Governorate. The Dadiani princes became part of the Russian nobility. Today, this region is located in the western part of the country, centered on the city of Zugdidi. It borders Svaneti, Imereti, Guria, and Abkhazia.
2. Svans inhabit the mountainous region of Svaneti in the northwest of the country. Two Kartvelian languages, Svan and Georgian, are spoken here. Svaneti is home to the famous Svan towers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ushguli community is recognized as the highest mountain village in Europe.
3. The Laz, or Chani, are a Colchian ethnic group living in northeastern Turkey, in the historical region of Lazistan. There are Laz villages in Georgia: Serpi, Gonio, and others. The Laz speak Laz, Georgian, and Turkish.

The Georgian people are several ethnic groups living within the territory of the state of Georgia. They differ in their lifestyle, traditions, and character, and speak their own dialects.

Kartlians live in the historical and geographical region of Kartli. This includes the cities of Tbilisi, Gori, Borjomi, Mtskheta, and others. They have always been considered fearless and courageous warriors.

Kakhetians. Their homeland is Kakheti, in eastern Georgia. The capital of the region is Telavi. The Alazani Valley, famous for its viticulture and winemaking, is also located here.

Svans. Proud inhabitants of Lower and Upper Svaneti. They are known for their restraint, courage, and fearlessness.

Megrelians, who live in the west of the country, are very musical. Megrelia is also famous for its excellent horsemen.

Imeretians, residents of western Georgia, with Kutaisi as the capital of Imereti. They are distinguished by their light hair and blue eyes, and are very spirited.

Adjarians live in the southwestern part of the country, in Adjara. The regional capital is Batumi. A portion of the population is Muslim.

Gurians are brave, accurate marksmen, and good hikers. Their homeland is the Guria region in the west of the country.

Khevsurs are the inhabitants of the sparsely populated mountainous region of Khevsureti. Until the 19th century, they lived independently, not subject to any state. Christian, pagan, and Muslim traditions and customs blend here.

Rachins inhabit the mountainous region of Racha. They are calm and somewhat slow-moving.

Besides the peoples mentioned above, the territory of Georgia is also inhabited by Lechkhum, Mtiul, Kizik, Tushet, Ingiloy, and other peoples.

National character

Among the key traits of the Georgian character, hospitality is most notable. Perhaps no other country enjoys noisy, lavish feasts, with numerous toasts.

In large groups or at meetings of two or three people, emotionality often manifests itself. Georgians gesticulate actively and speak loudly, especially when discussing important news.

Residents of the country are interested in politics and love to discuss the latest events. Again, loudly and emotionally.

Generosity. Georgians are always ready to help and share what they have.

At the same time, secrecy is also cited as a characteristic of the national character. This isn't insincerity, but rather a unique wisdom. After all, you can't tell everyone something personal.

Important character traits of Georgians also include courage, belligerence, love of freedom, pride, respect for elders, tolerance, wit, resourcefulness, and others.

Language

The Georgian language is part of the Kartvelian language family, spoken in western Transcaucasia. It began to develop in the second millennium BC.

The large number of local languages ​​and dialects in Georgia's regions is due to the fragmentation of territories and the isolation of individual tribes in ancient times.

Political circumstances often hindered communication. Often, neighboring ethnic groups developed a common language or spoke local dialects.

Gradually, a unified state and the Georgian language emerged. However, local dialects also persist, differing slightly from the official language.

The Iberian dialect is included in the Georgian group. The Megrelo-Laz and Svan groups are considered separate languages.

The distribution of Georgians around the world

Georgia is located between the Black and Caspian Seas. The majority of Georgians and other Ibero-Caucasian peoples are settled here.

Despite the difficulties of recent years, Georgians have maintained their statehood.

Georgian diasporas exist in Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and other countries. Modern Georgian is spoken by approximately 4.2 million people worldwide.

The resettlement of Georgians was not always voluntary. During the Persian conquest, part of the country's population was forcibly converted to Islam and relocated to the Persian Peninsula. They were called Ferendai. You can read more about this in an article on Madlob's website. They endured a difficult journey of becoming established in a foreign country and mentality, but managed to preserve the core traditions of their own people.

A nation is not only a unified territory, politics, and economy; it is unity and loyalty to traditions. Georgians do not forget their history, are proud of the past of their beloved country, honor traditions, and possess a sense of national dignity.

Read also

• Georgia Country: Currency, Major Cities and Population Facts
• Sakartvelo: What Georgia's Name Means and Where It Comes From