Gebi
Encyclopedia
Gebi is an old village in the northern part of Georgian
republic, in the region of Racha
. From the northern slopes of Caucasus Gebi is bordered by Russia
. Gebi with other two villages (Chiora, Glola) creates one ethno-cultural area, called Mtaracha (Georgian:მთარაჭა). Gebi covers a territory of 355 km².
region was occupied from the earlier times. Here, on the southern slopes of Caucasus were one of the oldest metallurgical centres of ancient world, products were distributed in other parts of Caucasus
and Georgia
.
Cultural life continues in the Late Bronze-early Iron period, Archaeological remains of this time show similarity to the Colchian and Koban cultures. In the antique age the village shows strong trade relationships with Greek cities of Black sea
region. Several archaeological sites of this period show connections with Egypt and Scythian world.
In the Middle Ages Mtaracha (Gebi,Chiora,Glola) belonged to Dvaleti, then it was part of Svanetia. From the beginning of XVI c. it becomes part of Racha
principality.
However in the 16th century these regions split up and as a result Racha and Dvaleti became one Principality while Svaneti became other. Later on, hystorical Dvaleti region which includes today's Nari gorge and also another old settlement called Nar became part of Russia in the 19th century. Due to political uncurteinity in Georgia after Bolshevik revolts in Samachablo this historic part of Racha became Part of Russia (North Ossetian Autonomous Republic). Mta-Racha was area of constant conflict between Rachians Dvaletians and Svans however by the end it was considered as part of Rachian Duchie. The name of the settlement Chiora (the fimilar settlement right next to Ghebi) is coming from Rachian dialectic word Ciora. Based on legend the original Ciorians lived deeper in Caucausus mountain chain however, because of hard pressure over them by the Iranic Ossetians and Balkars, they asked permission fom Ghebians to settle near the village. As they did they asked Ghebians if there was any "Cioreuli" (mammals such as bears, dears, etc.) in the area. For that reason new settlers called the area Ciora or the place where there are the mammals.
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
republic, in the region of Racha
Racha
Racha is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains...
. From the northern slopes of Caucasus Gebi is bordered by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Gebi with other two villages (Chiora, Glola) creates one ethno-cultural area, called Mtaracha (Georgian:მთარაჭა). Gebi covers a territory of 355 km².
Archaeological history
The history of the village Gebi is very rich. It counts more than 3500 years of cultural life. Archaeological excavations, which took place in the soviet times revealed a huge nekropolis in the place of Brili. An oldest cultural layer belongs to the middle Bronze Age, but everything shows that this part of RachaRacha
Racha is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains...
region was occupied from the earlier times. Here, on the southern slopes of Caucasus were one of the oldest metallurgical centres of ancient world, products were distributed in other parts of Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
and Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
Cultural life continues in the Late Bronze-early Iron period, Archaeological remains of this time show similarity to the Colchian and Koban cultures. In the antique age the village shows strong trade relationships with Greek cities of Black sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
region. Several archaeological sites of this period show connections with Egypt and Scythian world.
In the Middle Ages Mtaracha (Gebi,Chiora,Glola) belonged to Dvaleti, then it was part of Svanetia. From the beginning of XVI c. it becomes part of Racha
Racha
Racha is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains...
principality.
Cultural history
Christian culture spreads in the 4th century. Earliest churches belong to the 9th-10th centuries. Argument about whether this part of Georgia belonged to Racha, Svanetia or Dvaleti is very complicated. Until the 16th century, Racha Svaneti and Dvaleti all made up one principality and was known as one Duchie of Georgia.However in the 16th century these regions split up and as a result Racha and Dvaleti became one Principality while Svaneti became other. Later on, hystorical Dvaleti region which includes today's Nari gorge and also another old settlement called Nar became part of Russia in the 19th century. Due to political uncurteinity in Georgia after Bolshevik revolts in Samachablo this historic part of Racha became Part of Russia (North Ossetian Autonomous Republic). Mta-Racha was area of constant conflict between Rachians Dvaletians and Svans however by the end it was considered as part of Rachian Duchie. The name of the settlement Chiora (the fimilar settlement right next to Ghebi) is coming from Rachian dialectic word Ciora. Based on legend the original Ciorians lived deeper in Caucausus mountain chain however, because of hard pressure over them by the Iranic Ossetians and Balkars, they asked permission fom Ghebians to settle near the village. As they did they asked Ghebians if there was any "Cioreuli" (mammals such as bears, dears, etc.) in the area. For that reason new settlers called the area Ciora or the place where there are the mammals.