Revitalization and innovation of traditional culture in Abkhazia

Abstract

The contradictory, political and socio-economic processes that emerged at the end of the 20th century had a peculiar effect on the multi-ethnic society of our country, including Abkhazia. As a result of the conflict in Abkhazia, only Georgians remained in the Gali region, and a small part in other regions. Isolation occurred between Georgians and Abkhazians. The difficult situation created in the region had a significant impact on the lifestyle of Abkhazians and Georgians living there. Significant changes in everyday life, caused by the socio-political environment, are noticeable. A number of important elements of traditional culture have survived in Abkhazia to this day, which are closely related to the traditional life of the Georgian and Abkhaz people. The transformation of life caused by the historical difficulties of this region was also reflected in the spiritual culture of the population. What gave customs a special vitality was that over the centuries, along with the emergence of new habits, the traditions of previous eras were also preserved.

The long and peaceful relations between the Georgian and Abkhazian peoples were disrupted by the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, which was inspired by the destructive forces of Russia in the 1990s and led to the interruption of the integration process of these two peoples. This circumstance was reflected in almost all spheres of the traditional life and culture of the Georgians and Abkhazians living in modern Abkhazia. On the one hand, this gave rise to innovative tendencies, and on the other hand, traditional culture, as one of the main conditions for preserving the ethnic identity, became a mechanism for the conservation of everyday culture and customs. There was a revival of those elements of culture that had been more or less forgotten and were revived thanks to new circumstances again - revitalization and the search for new methods and ways to improve the situation - innovation. Revitalization means the revival of traditional institutions, which In times of crisis, it is determined by the necessity of self-preservation of society. Due to the difficult political situation, society faced self-destruction and was forced to find a way out.