Svan culture

E99510

Svan culture is the traditional highland culture of the Svan people in northwestern Georgia, known for its ancient language, distinctive tower architecture, polyphonic singing, and rich mountain customs.


Statements (63)
Predicate Object
instanceOf culture
intangible cultural heritage
centeredIn Lower Svaneti NERFINISHED
Upper Svaneti NERFINISHED
country Georgia
ethnicGroupOfOrigin Svan people
hasCharacteristic blood-feud traditions
clan-based social structure
elaborate wedding customs
extended family households
mountain pastoralism
polyphonic singing
ritual hospitality
seasonal transhumance
strong customary law
tower architecture
traditional funeral feasts
hasElement ancestor veneration
mountain cults
pre-Christian beliefs
language Svan language
legalSystem customary law (adat)
locatedInTheAdministrativeTerritorialEntity northwestern Georgia NERFINISHED
notableSite Mestia
Ushguli
practicedBy Svan people
recognizedAsWorldHeritageThrough Upper Svaneti NERFINISHED
region Svaneti NERFINISHED
religion Eastern Orthodox Christianity NERFINISHED
seasonalFestival Kvirikoba
Lamproba
Lipanal
socialUnit clans (phratries)
large patrilineal families
traditionalArchitecture Svan tower houses
fortified family compounds
stone defensive towers
traditionalClothing felt hats
leather footwear
thick woolen garments
traditionalCraft icon painting
metalwork
weaving
woodcarving
traditionalDance Svan round dances
warrior dances
traditionalEconomy barley cultivation
beekeeping
cattle herding
millet cultivation
sheep herding
traditionalFood Svanetian salt
kubdari
traditionalMusic Svan polyphonic songs
epic songs
ritual laments
work songs
UNESCOStatus Upper Svaneti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
value bravery
family solidarity
honor
hospitality
writingSystemTraditionally Georgian script

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Svaneti
associatedCulture
Mestia
knownFor

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