What is the horn Georgians drink wine from called?
The kantsi and when it is used.
Short answer
The drinking horn in Georgia is called a kantsi (ყანწი); it is made from the horn of a Caucasian tur or a domestic bull and is often decorated with silver. At festive feasts it is used for special toasts, and since a full horn cannot be set down, it is drunk to the bottom. Today it is more often given as a souvenir than used every day.
Why
- A horn's shape means it can't be set down, hence the custom of drinking it all.
- At a Georgian feast the tamada leads the toasts, and the horn is usually brought out for the main ones.
- Silver-trimmed horns are sold in souvenir shops in Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Sighnaghi.
Details
If you don't drink or can't finish a whole horn, politely decline in advance: taking the horn and not finishing it is considered awkward. Before taking a horn abroad, check your destination's rules on items made from animal horn.
Tip
If buying a horn as a gift, choose one with a stand; a real kantsi can't be set down unfinished.
What may differ
Prices in tourist spots are higher than at markets and neighbourhood shops.
Common misconception
What actually happens
People also ask
- What is a Georgian drinking horn called?
This answer is for reference only. Alcohol is sold only to people over 18, and check import limits against your destination country's rules.
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