What does 'assa' mean, and what Georgian dances are there?
The dance cry and the best-known folk dances.
Short answer
'Assa' is a cry used to cheer dancers on, roughly like 'come on!', with no literal translation. The best-known Georgian dances are the couple's dance kartuli, the warrior dance khorumi, the lively Adjarian acharuli, and the mountain dances mtiuluri and khevsuruli. The best way to see them is at a concert by the Sukhishvili National Ballet or the Rustavi ensemble.
Why
- The Adjarian dance acharuli is Georgian, from Adjara.
- Men's dances include dancing on the tips of the toes without pointe shoes.
- Every region of Georgia has kept its own dances and costumes.
Details
Check concert schedules on the ensembles' and Tbilisi theatres' websites. Folk dances are also often performed in restaurants with live music.
People also ask
- What are the main Georgian dances?
Sources
Information checked on October 3, 2026.
Georgian dancesRelated questions
-
What are Georgian musical instruments called?
The best-known Georgian instruments are the three-string panduri and four-string chonguri, the salamuri flute, the duduki, the gudastviri bagpipe, the doli drum and the bowed chuniri.
-
What to give a Georgian, and what gifts to bring from Russia?
When visiting Georgians, sweets, good tea or coffee, flowers for the host or a gift for the children are appropriate.
-
What should tourists, including women, wear in Georgia?
In Tbilisi and Batumi people dress in a relaxed, urban way, as in any European city, and there are no strict rules for visitors.
-
What are Georgian traditions, and how should you behave as a guest?
The core Georgian traditions are hospitality and the supra feast, where the tamada leads the toasts and the guest is offered the best of everything.


