Georgians

Georgians
John Wagner · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Group	Georgians
Native name	ქართველები
Native name lang	ka
Population	c. 5–7 million
Region1	Georgia
Pop1	3,224,600
Region2	Turkey
Pop2	~150,000–1,500,000
Region3	Russia
Pop3	~157,803
Region4	Iran
Pop4	~100,000+
Region5	Ukraine
Pop5	~34,199
Languages	Georgian language
Religions	Predominantly Georgian Orthodox Church
Related groups	Other Kartvelian peoples

Georgians. They are a nation and ethnic group native to the region of the South Caucasus, primarily centered in the modern state of Georgia. Their continuous history and unique cultural identity are defined by the Georgian language, one of the world's oldest living languages, and the Georgian Orthodox Church, a cornerstone of national consciousness. With a population of several million in their homeland and significant diaspora communities worldwide, Georgians have made substantial contributions to global arts, politics, and sciences.

History

The origins of the Georgian people are traced to the ancient Colchian and Iberian civilizations, which interacted with neighboring powers like the Achaemenid Empire, Roman Empire, and Parthian Empire. A pivotal moment was the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in the early 4th century under Mirian III of Iberia, cementing a cultural trajectory distinct from regional Zoroastrianism and later Islam. The medieval period saw the consolidation of a unified Georgian realm under the Bagrationi dynasty, reaching its zenith during the reign of David IV and his great-granddaughter Queen Tamar in the 12th–13th centuries, a golden age marked by the epic ''The Knight in the Panther's Skin'' by Shota Rustaveli. Subsequent centuries were defined by fragmentation and domination by rival empires, including the Safavid, Ottoman, and finally the Russian Empire, which annexed the territory in the 19th century. The brief independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia after the Russian Revolution was terminated by the Red Army invasion in 1921, leading to decades as the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. Modern sovereignty was restored in 1991, though the post-Soviet era has been challenged by conflicts like the War in Abkhazia and the Russo-Georgian War.

Language

The Georgian language is the official state language and belongs to the small, distinct Kartvelian language family, which also includes Svan, Mingrelian, and Laz. It possesses a unique and ancient alphabetic writing system, with the modern script, Mkhedruli, emerging in the 11th century. Georgian is renowned for its complex morphological structure and rich literary tradition, with the earliest surviving inscriptions dating to the 5th century at the Bolnisi Sioni basilica. The language has been a primary vehicle for preserving national identity through centuries of foreign rule, producing a vast corpus of religious, historical, and poetic works, including the medieval national epic by Shota Rustaveli.

Culture

Georgian culture is a synthesis of indigenous Caucasian traditions, Eastern Orthodox Christian influences, and elements absorbed through contact with Persian, Byzantine, and later Russian civilizations. It is famously expressed through Georgian polyphonic singing, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and vibrant traditional dances like the Kartuli. The national cuisine is distinctive, featuring dishes such as khachapuri and khinkali, while wine-making, using ancient methods in unique Qvevri clay vessels, dates back over 8,000 years. Architectural heritage spans from early Christian monuments like the Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral to the cave city of Uplistsikhe and the mountainous Svaneti region with its defensive towers.

Demographics

The majority of Georgians reside within the borders of Georgia, with significant concentrations in the capital Tbilisi and regions such as Imereti, Kakheti, and Samegrelo. Large historical diaspora communities exist in neighboring countries, notably in Turkey, Russia, and Iran, often tracing their origins to medieval migrations or 19th-century conflicts. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, newer diaspora communities have been established in the European Union, particularly Greece and Spain, as well as in the United States. Within Georgia, notable sub-ethnic groups include the Kartlians, Kakhetians, Imeretians, Gurians, Adjarians, and the highland communities of Svans and Khevsurs, each with distinct local traditions and dialects.

Notable people

Georgians have achieved prominence across diverse fields throughout history. In politics and leadership, figures range from the medieval queen Tamar and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to modern presidents like Mikheil Saakashvili and Salome Zourabichvili. The arts have been graced by painter Niko Pirosmani, ballet choreographer George Balanchine, and filmmakers like Tengiz Abuladze and Otar Iosseliani. Literary giants include the poet Shota Rustaveli and novelist Konstantine Gamsakhurdia. In music, the world-renowned bass Paata Burchuladze and pianist Khatia Buniatishvili stand out, while sports legends include football manager Valeri Lobanovsky and wrestler Levan Tediashvili. Scientific contributions come from figures such as aviation pioneer Alexander Kartveli and physicist Andria Darchiashvili.

Category:Ethnic groups in Georgia (country)