Chati

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On the right in the background a Khati in Tusheti , Georgia

Chati ( Georgian ხატი ) primarily means “image” or “ icon ”. In addition, a traditional small sanctuary equipped with portraits in the northern Georgian high mountain regions, such as Chewsureti , Tushetia and neighboring Georgian mountain regions, but also among neighboring North Caucasian peoples such as the Ossetians , Ingush and Chechens , is also called Chati .

The village festivals at these chatis are of pre-Christian and pre-Islamic origin and are traditionally celebrated by their own elected priests. These festivals are only limited or not tolerated by Christian priests and Islamic scholars, which is why many chatis are no longer used for festivals today. Chatis in Georgia are dedicated to Christian saints, especially St. George or St. Peter and Paul or the Holy Cross and are mostly located near old churches. In part, chatis also have images of pre-Christian deities and spirits, such as B. the world creator of Khevuri folklore, Morigi . These gods and spirits are of pagan origin, some of their properties and names also reveal Zoroastrian influences, which were spread in the Caucasus by the Sassanid Empire in the first millennium AD .

A chati in Muzo , Chewsureti region.

A chati is an altar made of natural stone in the form of a miniature building with a gable roof of about a meter in size, on which crosses or icons of saints are attached, sometimes pre-Christian idols can be found nearby . The sacred perimeter is also often surrounded by a stone circle or a flat wall. In the sacred area there is often a post on which the remains of the sacrificial animal skulls or skins are hung. Silver cups are mostly placed on the chati.

literature

  • James Hastings (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics. Edinburgh, New York 1906-1927, Vol. XII, pp. 483-488.

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