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.jpg) Javakhian Family from Akhalkalaki, 1896 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Georgia:Samtskhe-Javakheti | |
| Languages | |
| Javakhian dialect ofGeorgian language | |
| Religion | |
| †Georgian Orthodox Church |
Javakhians (Georgian:ჯავახები) are anethnic subgroup ofGeorgians, mainly living inSamtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. Javakhians are the indigenous population ofJavakheti. In terminology, the name Javakheti is taken from "javakh" core with traditional Georgian –eti suffix; commonly, Javakheti means the home of Javakhs. Javakhians speak theGeorgian language inJavakhian dialect. The self-designation of Javakhians isJavakhi.
Javakhians are one of the earliest Kartvelian tribes that inhabited Iberia. The earliest mention of Javakhians was found inUrartu sources, in the notes of KingArgishti I of Urartu, 785 BC, as“Zabakha” or“Zabakhian”.[1] According toCyril Toumanoff, the province of Javakheti was part of theIberianduchy of Tsunda from the 4th or 3rd century BC.Saint Nino entered broaderIberia from Javakheti, and, following the course of the Kura river, she arrived inMtskheta, the capital of the kingdom, where she eventually began to preach Christianity, which eventually culminated in theChristianization of Iberia.