Abstract:
Article deals with the study of processes of migration in Georgia. The
cultural life of migrated Svanetian population (Western Georgian Highlanders)
in Kvemo (Lower) Kartli region (namely municipalities of Marneuli and
Gardabani) is the case of study. Attention is paid to economic and cultural adaptation
and problems of integration of migrated Svans. This problem is scantly
researched in Georgian special literature except for few exceptions. The dynamics
and the picture of preservation of ethno-cultural traditions are shown; also,
relationship of the Svans with local Georgians or non-Georgian population,
namely with Azeris that was complicated from the beginning but later, step by
step, it was overcome. Nowadays these processes are easy to regulate.
According to ethnographical material of the region which is under our
survey the article observes following items: area of settlement of the Svans,
monuments of material and spiritual culture, system of values, religious
practice, communication with the metropolis, religious tradition, feasts etc.
Concerning to ethnographical investigation, in the modern life of the
Svans, despite unusual geo-ecological environment and kind of social and
economic problems, they are inclined to maintain traditional way of life and to
pursue the economic customs that are traditional for them (mainly stock raising
and field crop cultivation), also they follow gardening and wine-making, that
indicates the good level of adaptation and integration to the new environment.
Much stable and less changeable is a spiritual, cultural, ethno-psychological,
ethno-identical, and mental characteristics of migrated Svans, which is enhanced
by traditional values, also construction of churches, religious tolerance
towards the faith in the region.
Article deals with modern economic problems in general, issues of
unemploymen; rational use of labor resources are meant to be resolved in the
future.
