ხევსურები | |
|---|---|
 Khevsurians in traditional dress (apr. 1900) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Khevsureti (Georgia) | |
| Languages | |
| Georgian | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (Georgian Orthodox) |
Khevsurians (Georgian:ხევსურები) are anethnographic group ofGeorgians, mainly living inKhevsureti, on both sides of theCaucasus Mountain Chain in the watersheds of the riversAragvi andArgun. There are some villages inKhevi,Ertso-Tianeti,Kakheti (Shiraki),Kvemo Kartli (Gardabani) also where Khevsurians reside. Khevsurians speak theGeorgian language in Khevsurian dialect. For a long time, Khevsurians have maintained their traditional culture: clothing, weapons, and polyphonic music.[1]
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Khevsurians first are mentioned in the 10th-century manuscripts. In 1745 they were described byVakhushti Bagrationi in his workDescription of the Kingdom of Georgia.
In the old Georgian chronicle, Khevsureti and Pshavi are referred to together as "Pkhovi", while the Pshavians and Khevsurians themselves were called "Pkhoveli". This is evidenced by the reference ofVakhushti. He says in the description of the north-eastern part of Heret-Kakheti: "But they are called Pshav Khevsur, who previously were called Pkhoelni".
TheKists borderingKhevsureti still call Khevsureti "Pkhia" or "Pkhye", which means the same as "Pkhoeli".
Anthropologically, Khevsurians have a slim, east Georgian type of face; due to harsh living conditions in mountain areas, many of them are thin. Khevsurians generally have light colored eyes and hair color ranging from blonde to black.
In Autumn of 1811, the Khevsurians andIngush joined the uprising that broke out in the region ofKakheti led by the fugitive Georgianprince Alexander.[2][3]
