 Distribution of the Svan language in relation to other Kartvelian (South Caucasian) languages. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 14,000[1]–80,000[2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Georgia | 14,000[1]–30,000[2] |
| Languages | |
| Svan,Georgian | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly†Eastern Orthodox Christianity (Georgian Orthodox Church) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Georgians,Laz andMingrelians | |
TheSvans (Svan:შუ̂ანა̈რ,romanized: shwanær;Georgian:სვანები,romanized:svanebi) are an ethnic subgroup of theGeorgians[3][4][5][6][7] indigenous toSvaneti, a region in northwestGeorgia. They speak theSvan language and are mostly bilingual also inGeorgian. Both these languages belong to theKartvelian (South Caucasian) language family. In the pre-1930 Soviet census, the Svans were categorized as a separate ethnic group (natsionalnost).[8] The self-designation of the Svan isMushüan, which is probably reflected in the ethnonymMisimian of the Classical authors.[9]
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| Part of a series on |
| Georgians ქართველები |
|---|
 The Kartvelian people |
| Nation |
| Georgia |
| Ancient Kartvelian people |
| Subgroups |
| Culture |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Symbols |
| History of Georgia |
The Svans are usually identified with the Soanes mentioned byGreek geographerStrabo, who placed them more or less in the area still occupied by the modern-day Svans.[10]
In the Russian Empire and early Soviet UnionMingrelians and Svans had their own census grouping, but were classified under the broader category of Georgian in the 1930s.[11] They areGeorgian Orthodox Christians, and were Christianized in the 4th–6th centuries. However, some remnants of pre-Christian beliefs have been maintained.Saint George (known asJgëræg to the locals), apatron saint ofGeorgia, is the most respected saint.[12] The Svans have retained many of their old traditions, includingblood revenge, although this tradition has been declining over time and as law enforcement takes hold. Their families are small, and the husband is the head of his family. The Svan strongly respect the older women in families.[13]
Typically bilingual, they use bothGeorgian and their own, unwrittenSvan language. Prior to the 19th century, many Svans were monolingual, only knowing the Svan language.[14]
The most commonY-chromosomal haplogroup among the Svans isG2a (90%), in the second place is the Y-chromosomal haplogroupR1a (5%), in the third place is the Y-chromosomal haplogroupJ2a1 (about 3%). Among mitochondrial haplogroupsH (17.9%),K (15.8%),W6 (13%),T (9.24%),U1 (7.61%),X2 (6, 52%),U2 (5.98%) are common haplogroups.[15]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Up to the 19th century, many Svans were monolingual,
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