Abstract:
The paper discribes the historical-ethnographic picture of Ephrati – one
of the communities of Zemo (Upper) Machakheli. The work is based on the
field-ethnographic material and the existed scholarly literature. The main
characteristics of the traditional and contemporary life of the Ephrati
community are revealed. It includes history of Ephrati community, forms of
accommodation and settlement, cultural household types, and the legends and
family stories.
The preserved monuments (former churches, mosque, medieval stone and
wooden bridges, family and agricultural tools, etc.) of the Georgian folk
architecture are described.
Several elements of the traditional Georgian spiritual culture are
analyzed: celebrations of the New Year and “Gargnoba”.
The description and analysis of modern social-cultural processes of the
Ephrati community and Zemo (Upper) Machakheli in common are represented.
The ethnic identity issues of the local Georgian population are
emphasized.
