Stsorproba, Wedding and Upbringing of Children

THE PSHAV TSATSLOBA AND KHEVSUR STSORPROBA
The Pshav tsatsloba and Khevsur stsorproba is a unique tradition that was practiced until the 20th century. It established premarital friendship relationships between young women and men. If a young woman and man liked each other, the young man would propose to become her sworn brother; should the woman agree, the romantic relationship of stsorproba (tsatsloba in Pshavi) would commence between them. True, they could lie together, but sexual intercourse between them was forbidden and they would content themselves with petting only. A dagger would be placed between them. It was a symbol of a boundary that was not to be overstepped. After marriage, the woman was not allowed to lie with her sworn brother; as for the man, he could continue the relationship of stsorproba with an unmarried swornsister. Stsorproba and tsatsloba was practiced between young men and women of one community; it was also allowed between relatives. At first, the relationship between the sworn brother and sister found its expression in visits and gift-giving. The sworn-sister would knit and embroider for her sworn-brother a short robe, breeches, a tobacco pouch, etc., while the man would present his sworn-sister with beads, buttons and pins, silver decorations, etc. The origin of stsorproba is veiled in obscurity; however this tradition can be regarded as evidence of the morals of the locals and the chivalrous attitude toward women.

MATCHMAKING, WEDDING AND WEDLOCK
The cradle-wedding tradition has long been preserved in Pshav-Khevsureti. A similar tradition was followed throughout the Caucasus and different regions of Georgia. A family would choose another family and establish a relationship with them; the uncle of the child (boy) lying in the cradle would take a “sign”, a symbolic present (usually a silver coin), and, together with the parents of the future daughter-in-law, hang the gift on the cradle. He would also bring araki (vodka), kada-puri (sweet bread) and the fate of the future newly weds would be blessed. The ritual would be repeated every new year until the wedding. During the wedding, the groom and bride needed to separate for a week, after which the bride would return to her parents’ home and stay there for a year. This process was also a means of helping the couple to get to know one another better, and to build honesty and faithfulness. Afterwards, they would be able to truly begin their marital relationship.

UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN
Infants in Pshav-Khevsureti traditionally slept in a cradle. The cradle resembles a wooden box that is low to the ground and covered with hay in the bottom. The infant’s baptised name used to be chosen according to the vestry calendar. Alternatively, a traditional name was used. The upbringing of children—particularly of boys—was more so a father’s duty. In Khevsureti, boys used to carry daggers in their childhood. Between the ages of 10–12, they were allowed to freely use their daggers. Fathers raised their sons surrounded by adults, and trained them to converse and taught them customary traditions.