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Narrated by Ece Karakaş  Basiani Ensemble ©️ Badri Vadachkoria When I visited Tbilisi this past August, I was excited to explore Georgia’s rich cultural and artistic landscape. Unfortunately, I hadn’t realized that many government cultural centers would be closed due to the national holiday. Despite this, I still enjoyed exploring the local cuisine, museums, and historic churches, though I felt like I missed out on part of the experience I hoped for. Once I got home, I started looking into Georgian cultural heritage online, curious about what I hadn’t been able to see in person. As a cultural anthropologist, I was especially interested in learning about Georgia’s intangible culture, which is how I came across polyphonic singing.
Linguistically, polyphony means multiple voices singing independent melodies simultaneously, with each voice contributing to a rich, harmonious whole. This style of singing appears in various cultures around the world and in Georgia, polyphonic singing dates back to at least the 4th century, pre-dating Christianism. Over the centuries, Georgia’s regions have developed distinct styles of singing, each adding a unique voice to this enchanting musical tradition. In Svaneti, the highland region, singers practice a complex and darker style, while in Kakheti, located in Eastern Georgia, singers favor lighter and melodic tones. Western Georgia, on the other hand, often features three-part harmonies, with singers partially improvising. An additional fact, for those who don’t speak Georgian—including myself—is that each song revolves around a different theme. In Georgia, singing is a central communal activity and throughout generations, Georgians have incorporated polyphonic singing into every aspect of life—from harvesting and celebrations to battles and funerals—making it an integral part of their everyday lives. This tradition is also a prominent feature of Georgian feasts known as supras, where communal singing forms a crucial element of hospitality and dining culture. Songs like Chakrulo tell the story of men preparing for battle, embodying their determination to protect their homeland and loved ones. Chakrulo is not only celebrated within the world of polyphonic singing but has also gained a special place in the broader musical sphere. It was one of 27 tracks chosen for the Voyager Golden Records in 1977, launched into space to symbolize the “music of Earth.” Another example would be the Naduri songs, considered as Georgia's field-working songs, capturing the sounds of physical labor in their melodies. Last but not least is the joyful Alilo, a song celebrating health, happiness and prosperity. Taking place on January 7th, Alilo is a Christmas tradition in Georgia, similar to Halloween’s trick-or-treating, where carolers sing together on the streets and visit homes where the hosts offer them gifts, such as sweets and food—like eggs, which symbolize fertility. Together, these styles and themes create a musical map of Georgia, reflecting its regional diversity and oral history. Today, like many other elements of intangible cultural heritage, traditional songs face the risk of being forgotten or, at best, not being passed down to future generations due to the rapid changes in the popular music culture. As a result, Georgian polyphonic singing has become a key focus of local and national conservation programs, and in 2008, it was recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity, highlighting its cultural significance. Yet, it would be inaccurate to say that polyphonic singing is unpopular among Georgians or even beyond Georgia’s borders. Traditional choirs and ensembles like Basiani Ensemble, Shvidkatsa, The Rustavi Choir, and Gori Women’s Choir are well-respected, while contemporary Georgian singers like Iriao, the ethno-jazz group who represented Georgia at the 2018 Eurovision Contest, and the women-led Trio Mandili are blending traditional singing with modern influences. If you ever find yourself in Georgia, you can experience these performances live in various settings—from restaurants and churches to national theaters, and as mentioned above, Christmas celebrations. If you’ve been to Georgia and missed out on some cultural experiences like me due to national holidays or lack of research skills, you can still enjoy these beautifully sung songs online; starting from this curated Spotify Playlist.
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