Georgian Mythology

$75.00 – $125.00

Zurab Kiknadze

Series: Georgian Classics
BISAC: SOC011000; PHI031000; REL000000
DOI: 10.52305/IPVZ8933

Zurab Kiknadze (1933-2022) was a famous Georgian Orientalist, Semitologist, and Sumerologist, Emeritus Professor of Ilia State University, Ph.D in Philology. He researched the cultures of the ancient Near East, issues of Bible Studies, Christology, Georgian folklore, and mythology.

“Georgian Mythology” introduces an unknown world of myths to English-speaking readers. Its creator is one of the world’s oldest nations which traces the history of its statehood back to the 4th century BC.

The Georgian mythological world is valuable not only for its antiquity but, most importantly, for its originality. Its significance is further increased by the fact that in the mountainous regions of Georgia (especially in eastern Georgia), the traditional lifestyle was preserved until almost the middle of the 20th century and fragmentarily is still found today. The worldview, customs, and traditions of such a society are completely based on mythical stories. Myths tell us about everything that happened from the creation of the world to the establishment of social institutions – ancestors, heroic adventures of supernatural beings, secret initiation, and others.

Georgian mythological texts are truly unique and universal; they provide us with invaluable information about the existence and life of traditional society. They introduce us to the ancient mytho-religious consciousness, moral and legal values, and spiritual culture of the Georgian people which, in the words of the author of the book, “fully expresses the hidden abilities of the whole nation, its potential.”

The book is notably valuable for specialists in various fields of humanities, researchers interested in traditional society, and students. Yet, every educated person will find it fascinating, especially a literate reader keen on the history of culture.

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Table of Contents

Foreword from the Editor

Acknowledgments

Part 1: The Cross and Its Community

Introduction

Chapter 1 Creation of the Andrezis
Acquiring the Land
Kvrivi
Discovery of the Kvrivi
The Appearance of Jvari (Ash Tree in the Hearth)
The Appearance of Jvari on Karatistsveri
Betlemi –Homeland of Jvari
Flying Jvaris
The Dove – A Sign of Jvari
The Dove – A Church Builder
The Appearance of Jvari in Captivity

Chapter 2 The Treasure of Kajaveti
A Sacral Bowl
A Cow Horn
A Nine-Stringed Golden Panduri
A Chain
A Nine-Clapper Bell
A Herd of Cattle
Samdzimari
A Sacred Standard

Chapter 3 Saqmo
Saqmo at the Court of Jvari
The Holy Mountain
Saqmo and Treasure
Mkadre’s Ordeal
The Golden Button
Davlati
The Called and the Selected
The Prisoners of Jvari
From a Manger to the Jvari
Women Preachers

Chapter 4 The Times of Blood Rains
Return of Devis

Chapter 5 The Devoted

Appendix: The Christian Substrate of the Religious System of the Jvaris and Khatis
Paganism and Paganization
The Vassals of Jvari
Jvari, Khati and Ghvtisshvili
Deviation from the Faith
Faith of Christians

Part 2: The Dream of Parnavaz

Preface

Chapter 1 The Myth of Kingship
“A Desolate House”
The Sun – the Initiator, “The Sundew”
Sun-Deer
The Royal Treasure
Kingship and Gold
From Hunter to King
The Sun and Golden Deer
The Sun and Milk
Parnavaz’s Name
Armenian Translation of “The Dream of Parnavaz”
The Treasure of Albanians

Chapter 2 The Eternal Spring
The Ban
“Winged Sulghumi”
The Morning Star
Nanny, Maid – Witch
The Eschatology of the Brutsabdzela (Tamar’s Cradle and Casket)
The Return of Spring
A Folk Poem
A Song

Chapter 3 The Abandoned Child
The Virgin in a Tower

Chapter 4 Tamar and the Sea

Chapter 5 The King’s Apotheosis
King-Rescuer
Apotheosis
King-Hunter
Adroit King
“Achilles’ Heel”
The Repentant King
The King and the Plowman

Chapter 6 David Triumphator Over Time (Evil Spirit in the Service of a Man)
“The Devil of the Gaburis’ Family”
“A Crow Church”

Chapter 7 Inner and Outer
The Chosen Animal

Chapter 8 The World of a Hunter
A Shepherd and a Hunter
A Hunter and an Alien World
Hunter-Warrior
King-Hunter
A Double Life of a Hunter
The Hunter and the Patron of Wild Animals
Betkil
Ivane Kvatsikheli
Chorla
White Manguri
“Hunter Mepisai”
The Wild Game – “Devil’s Herd”

Chapter 9 The Sacrificed Deer (“A Deer Came to Khani…”)

Chapter 10 The Myth and Ritual of Maximus
Myth
The Ritual
Explanations
Records of 1914 (Selected)
The Ritual of Muroba
Records of 2007 (Selected)

Afterword

Glossary

Abbreviations

References

Index

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