local vernacular and folk poetry

The rich diverse folk poetry of Pshavi and Khevsureti truly captures and presents their simple and beautiful way of life.

local vernacular and folk poetry

The rich diverse folk poetry of Pshavi and Khevsureti truly captures and presents their simple and beautiful way of life. The Pshavs are good at expressing their sorrows and spiritual emotions in verse. The birth of a Khevsur was marked in verse and these verses were used to commemorate individuals after passed away. Pshav poetry and Pshav kapia (versification) hold a special place in local folk oral story-telling tradition. Kappa is a tradition popular in Pshavi, which is a form of impromptu-conversational versification between two rival individuals or groups. Kapia was practiced during festivals, weddings while herding cattle, and when travelling. Therefore, it is said in the highlands: “The Khevsur takes pride in his sharp blade, the Pshav of his equally sharp tongue”. The Pshav vernacular tradition of poetry has been eternalized by Vazha-Pshavela, in whose works the local traditions and century-old folk wisdom are influential elements of the poet’s individualism: his rich imagination, rhythmic thinking and ideals common to all mankind.
Pshav and Khevsur songs are monotonic and sad. The three-stringed mandolin-like instrument, the panduri¸ is a popular item in every household.

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