Khevisberi Explained
Khevisberi (Georgian: ხევისბერი; lit. "an elder of the gorge") secular and ecclesiastical ruler of a Khevi in the Eastern Georgian highlands: He is an elderly man who follows a monk-like life. Khevisberi performs different rituals and ceremonies and supervises brewing of the sacred beer.[1] [2]
Historically, Georgian patriarchal highlander communities enjoyed a degree of autonomy and they were not integrating into the feudal system. they were rather electing their own council of elders and leaders, known as Khevisberi who functioned as a judge, priest and military leader and submitted themselves only to the Georgian monarchs.
In popular culture
- Alexander Kazbegi's novel "Khevisberi Gocha";[3]
- the 1964 film "Khevisberi Gocha (1964)" based on Alexander Kazbegi's novel.
Sources
Notes and References
- BUXRASHVILI. P.. DOLIDZE . R.. TUITE . K.. 2003. Interview mit Chewisberi Pilipe Baghiauri. Georgica. 26. 44–63.
- Book: Tuite, K.. Kaukasiologie heute. Festschrift für Heinz Fähnrich zum 70. Geburtstag. The political symbolism of the mid-summer festival in Pshavi (Northeast Georgian highlands), then and now. Reineck . Natia . Rieger . Ute. Buchverlag König. 2016. 365–390.
- http://www.nplg.gov.ge/gsdl/cgi-bin/library.exe?e=d-00000-00---off-0vertwo--00-1--0-10-0---0---0prompt-10---4-------0-1l--11-ka-50---20-about---00-3-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=vertwo&cl=CL1.21.1&d=HASH753dd13726e40eb038e178 Alexander Kazbegi. Khevisberi Gocha (1884).
