Georgian Attire - Reflection of Political Climate

Throughout centuries, dressing traditions in Georgia reflected political and cultural changes in this country. Expressing the political route and symbolizing the spirit of the times, Georgian costume was changing occasionally, nevertheless maintaining its national identity.

From ancient times, along with Georgian traditions, the Georgian attire represented synthesis of Byzantine and Oriental cultures; later Russian style is also observed...  such circumstances were related to the political situation and cultural ties. 

is dated from the Upper Palaeolithic era. Working in Dzudzuana Cave, scientists discovered 30,000-year-old flax thread fibers. The discovery of spindle whorls holds essential importance.

is evidenced in the 5th century hagiographical work "The Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik", where clothing is referred to as "ornament", sheepskin tunic, rug...

The legacy of the Georgian writer lese Baratashvili gives us an idea how Georgian nobles used to dress. In his "adventure", written in 1774, he mentions diverse vestments and variety of textiles: 

"one used to have ten-twelve dresses in a wardrobe trunk, four and five akhalukhi, five or six shirts and 'mukasari', 'chakhchukhi' and paitchi', ten-twelve 'sachekhi', a Tushetian sewn hat and different coloured 'kajruli".

The study of secular portraits depicted on church reliefs dated by V-VIII cc. showed that at that time, because of political circumstances, Byzantium influenced not only on the course of the Georgian national clothing but the creation of textile as well. 

Notably, it was Byzantium, where the Georgian royal clothes of the X-XIII cc. originated from. Adorned with portrait of Justin Caesar and embroidered with golden thread - white surplice ‘paragaudi’ was a significant part of the royal garment in Georgia.

Harun Al-Rashid (786-809) gifted  Iranian public figure an honorable vestment. This is believed to have determined the tradition of gifting clothing in the eastern countries, which eventually set the custom among Iranian rulers to gift their favorite subordinates either  part, or the complete set of their own clothing . 

According to the Georgian historian Vaxhushti Batonishvili, George X (1600-1605) was the first to be granted  a robe from the Khan, who did not take off his own vestment but put the gifted robe over it. 

Throughout its history, Georgia has been influenced by various countries and cultures but national costume worn by the Georgians for over a thousand years, has never lost its importance and identity. 

The Georgian attire is an integral part of the Georgian National Ballet.
Georgian Chokha is sometimes worn for formal national meetings and often for wedding ceremonies. For many it symbolizes the country's proud past and resilience of its nation.