Georgians (ethnic group)

Georgians (ethnic group)
Group	Georgians
Caption	Traditional Georgian dance
Population	~4 million (global)
Regions	Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, United States, Greece, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Israel
Languages	Georgian, Mingrelian, Svan, Laz
Religions	Georgian Orthodox Church, Islam, Judaism, Armenian Apostolic Church

Georgians (ethnic group) are an indigenous Caucasian people primarily associated with the country of Georgia (country), with diasporic communities across Russia, Turkey, Iran, United States, Greece, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, and Israel. They speak the Georgian language and related Kartvelian languages and have a distinct cultural heritage shaped by interactions with empires such as the Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire, Safavid Iran, and the Russian Empire. Georgian identity has been expressed through literature, music, architecture, and the Georgian Orthodox Church.

History

Georgians trace their ancestry to ancient kingdoms like Colchis and Iberia (ancient kingdom), interacted with the Achaemenid Empire, faced invasions by the Mongol Empire and the Seljuk Empire, and experienced political transformations under the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The medieval period saw the reigns of figures such as Tamar of Georgia and conflicts like the Battle of Didgori, followed by fragmentation into principalities like Kakheti, Kartli, and Imereti. The 18th and 19th centuries involved treaties and protectorates including the Treaty of Georgievsk and annexation by the Russian Empire, participation in the Russian Revolution, brief independence during the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918–1921), incorporation into the Soviet Union as the Georgian SSR, and renewed independence after the Dissolution of the Soviet Union with leaders such as Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Eduard Shevardnadze. Conflicts over regions like Abkhazia and South Ossetia precipitated engagements with United Nations mediation, NATO discussions, and the Russo-Georgian War (2008).

Language and Writing

The Kartvelian language family includes Georgian language, Mingrelian language, Svan language, and Laz language; Georgian language uses the unique Mkhedruli script, preceded by the Asomtavruli and Nuskhuri forms preserved in manuscripts such as the Vani Hoard and religious texts associated with Shota Rustaveli. Literary traditions reference epic works like The Knight in the Panther's Skin and poets such as Rustaveli and Galaktion Tabidze, while modern writers include Ilia Chavchavadze and Nodar Dumbadze. Linguistic studies engage scholars and institutions like the Georgian National Academy of Sciences and connect to comparative work involving the Indo-European languages and Caucasian language research by figures such as B. A. Dolginov.

Culture and Traditions

Georgian culture features polyphonic singing traditions recognized alongside performers like Rustavi Choir and festivals such as Tbilisoba, with culinary specialties including khachapuri, khinkali, and pkhali. Architectural heritage includes medieval monasteries like Gelati Monastery, Jvari Monastery, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, along with fortifications like Narikala and sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Georgia. Folk arts encompass dance ensembles such as Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet, crafts connected to regions like Tusheti and Svaneti, and civic commemorations that reference historical figures like David IV of Georgia.

Religion

The majority adhere to the Georgian Orthodox Church, autocephalous since historical councils and associated with patriarchs such as Ilia II (Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia). Minority communities include Sunni Islam and Shia Islam in regions bordering Azerbaijan and Turkey, Jewish communities linked to Georgian Jews with synagogues in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, and Armenian Apostolic communities in provinces like Samtskhe–Javakheti. Religious sites include monastic complexes like David Gareja and pilgrimage traditions tied to saints such as Saint Nino.

Demographics and Distribution

Population centers concentrate in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, and Zugdidi, with diaspora populations prominent in Moscow, Istanbul, Tehran, New York City, Athens, and Yerevan. Census data, migration waves from the 19th century through the Soviet era to post-1991 economic migration, and refugee movements from conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have shaped distribution. Ethnographic regions include Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti, Racha, Lechkhumi, Guria, and mountainous districts such as Svaneti and Khevsureti.

Identity and Ethnicity

Georgian national identity has been articulated by intellectuals like Ilia Chavchavadze, political leaders such as Zviad Gamsakhurdia, and cultural activists involved with institutions like the Georgian National Museum and Tbilisi State University. Debates over citizenship laws, language policy, and minority rights have engaged international bodies including the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, while domestic politics reference parties such as United National Movement (Georgia) and Georgian Dream. Ethnic subgroups including Mingrelians, Svans, and Laz people maintain regional identities and dialects within the broader national framework.

Notable People and Contributions

Prominent historical and modern figures include monarchs and commanders like Tamar of Georgia, David IV of Georgia, and Vakhtang I of Iberia; poets and writers such as Shota Rustaveli, Ilia Chavchavadze, Galaktion Tabidze; scientists and scholars like Ivane Javakhishvili, Alexander Kartveli; artists and filmmakers including Sergei Parajanov (of Georgian-Armenian heritage), Otar Iosseliani; composers and musicians like Zakharia Paliashvili, Guram Dochanashvili; athletes such as Lasha Talakhadze, Nino Salukvadze; and statesmen including Mikheil Saakashvili, Eduard Shevardnadze, Viktor Sanikidze. Contributions span architecture represented by Gelati Academy, religious scholarship linked to Georgian Orthodox Church clerics, and global scientific and artistic influence via émigré communities in cities like Paris, London, and New York City.

Category:Ethnic groups in Georgia (country)