Tushetians
Encyclopedia
Tushetians or Tush (IPA:tuʃ) are a subgroup of Georgians who mainly live in Tusheti
.
, a Nakh language (cousin of Chechen
and Ingush
). Most Bats also speak Georgian, to which there is a continuing trend of linguistic assimilation. Despite differences in language and culture (to a degree), both Chagma- and Tsova-Tush consider themselves to be part of the larger group of Tush, which in turn is considered a subgroup of Georgians.
cheese and high quality wool was famous and was exported to Europe
and Russia
. Even today sheep and cattle breeding is the leading branch of the economy of highland Tusheti. The local shepherds spend the summer months in the highland areas of Tusheti but live in the lowland villages of Zemo Alvani and Kvemo Alvani in wintertime. Their customs and traditions are similar to those of other eastern Georgian mountaineers, such as the Khevsurs and Pshavs.
Like all Georgian groups, they are mainly Georgian Orthodox Christian in religion.
Theories regarding the origin of the Tsova-Tush include involving descent from South Caucasian Nakh in Ancient times (either a Nakh people
inhabiting areas of Kakheti and Tusheti), North Caucasian Nakh in the 16th century, or Old Georgian tribes who were influenced or intermixed with Nakh.
Anthropological studies on the Tsova-Tush found them to be somewhere in between the Chechen-origin Kists and the Chagma-Tush of the region, but significantly closer to the Chagma-Tush.
Theories regarding the origin of the Chagma Tush all include descent from Georgian tribes (possibly pagans fleeing Christianization in the 300s AD), but variously involve influence or admixture from South Caucasian Nakh, Dagestani peoples, or none.
The lands of the Tush have variously been under the rule of Caucasian Iberia, the medieval united kingdom of Georgia, the Kingdom of Kakheti (which eventually fell under heavy influence from Persia), the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and then independent united Georgia.
Tusheti
Tusheti is a historic region in northeast Georgia.-Geography:Located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Tusheti is bordered by the Russian republics of Chechnya and Dagestan to the north and east, respectively; and by the Georgian historic provinces Kakheti and...
.
Subgroups
The Tush divide themselves into two groups, the Chagma-Tush, who speak the local Georgian dialect and Tsova-Tush, also known as Bats or Batsbi, who speak the Bats languageBats language
Bats is the language of the Bats people, a Caucasian minority group, and is part of the Nakh family of Caucasian languages. It had 2,500 to 3,000 speakers in 1975....
, a Nakh language (cousin of Chechen
Chechen language
The Chechen language is spoken by more than 1.5 million people, mostly in Chechnya and by Chechen people elsewhere. It is a member of the Northeast Caucasian languages.-Classification:...
and Ingush
Ingush language
Ingush is a language spoken by about 413,000 people , known as the Ingush, across a region covering Ingushetia, Chechnya, Kazakhstan and Russia. In Ingush, the language is called ГІалгІай Ğalğaj .-Classification:...
). Most Bats also speak Georgian, to which there is a continuing trend of linguistic assimilation. Despite differences in language and culture (to a degree), both Chagma- and Tsova-Tush consider themselves to be part of the larger group of Tush, which in turn is considered a subgroup of Georgians.
Appearance
Anthropologically Tushetians have an Eastern Georgian type of face, with light colored eyes and hair color ranging from blonde to brown.Culture
Traditionally, the Tushs are sheep herders. Tushetian Gouda (cheese)Gouda (cheese)
Gouda is an orange cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese is named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands, but its name is not protected. However, the European Commission has confirmed that "Gouda Holland" is to be protected...
cheese and high quality wool was famous and was exported to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Even today sheep and cattle breeding is the leading branch of the economy of highland Tusheti. The local shepherds spend the summer months in the highland areas of Tusheti but live in the lowland villages of Zemo Alvani and Kvemo Alvani in wintertime. Their customs and traditions are similar to those of other eastern Georgian mountaineers, such as the Khevsurs and Pshavs.
Like all Georgian groups, they are mainly Georgian Orthodox Christian in religion.
Origins
The origin of the Tush themselves is a mysterious and debatable matter, with numerous theories regarding the origin of Tsova-Tush and of the Chagma-Tush. It also is uncertain whether the two groups have a common origin or not.Theories regarding the origin of the Tsova-Tush include involving descent from South Caucasian Nakh in Ancient times (either a Nakh people
Nakh peoples
Nakh peoples are a group of historical and modern ethnic groups speaking Nakh languages and sharing certain cultural traits...
inhabiting areas of Kakheti and Tusheti), North Caucasian Nakh in the 16th century, or Old Georgian tribes who were influenced or intermixed with Nakh.
Anthropological studies on the Tsova-Tush found them to be somewhere in between the Chechen-origin Kists and the Chagma-Tush of the region, but significantly closer to the Chagma-Tush.
Theories regarding the origin of the Chagma Tush all include descent from Georgian tribes (possibly pagans fleeing Christianization in the 300s AD), but variously involve influence or admixture from South Caucasian Nakh, Dagestani peoples, or none.
History
The region of Tusheti was first mentioned by its name in the 4th century BCE.The lands of the Tush have variously been under the rule of Caucasian Iberia, the medieval united kingdom of Georgia, the Kingdom of Kakheti (which eventually fell under heavy influence from Persia), the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and then independent united Georgia.
External Links
- http://www.batsav.com|Batsav.Com], a site mainly dedicated to the Tsova-Tush with significant information on the Chagma-Tush as well as their neighbors in addition