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[[File:Екатерина Чавчавадзе Дадиани.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Ekaterine Dadiani, Princess of Mingrelia| Ekaterine Dadiani]], the last ruling princess of the Mingrelians]]
[[File:Екатерина Чавчавадзе Дадиани.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Ekaterine Dadiani, Princess of Mingrelia| Ekaterine Dadiani]], the last ruling princess of the Mingrelians]]
The '''Mingrelians'''<ref>Alternately, ''Megrelians'', ''Mingrels'', or ''Megrels''</ref> ([[Mingrelian]]: მარგალი, ''margali''; {{lang-ka|მეგრელები}}: ''megrelebi'') are a subethnic group of [[Georgians]]<ref>Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict, by Svante E. Cornell, p 142</ref><ref>
The '''Mingrelians'''<ref>Alternately, ''Megrelians'', ''Mingrels'', or ''Megrels''</ref> ([[Mingrelian]]: მარგალი, ''margali''; {{lang-ka|მეგრელები}}: ''megrelebi'') are a subethnic group of [[Georgians]]<ref>Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict, by Svante E. Cornell, p 142</ref><ref>
Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook, by David Levinson, p 34</ref><ref>
Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook, by David Levinson, p 34</ref><ref>
Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War, by Stuart J. Kaufman, p 86</ref><ref>
Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War, by Stuart J. Kaufman, p 86</ref><ref>
Political Construction Sites: Nation-building in Russia and the Post-Soviet World, by Pål Kolstø, p 8</ref><ref>[[Stephen F. Jones]]. [http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Mingrelians-Orientation.html Mingrelians]. ''World Culture Encyclopedia''. Retrieved on March 29, 2008.</ref><ref>[[Kevin Tuite]] [http://www.mapageweb.umontreal.ca/tuitekj/caucasus/Dal.htm The Meaning of Dæl. Symbolic and Spatial Associations of the South Caucasian Goddess of Game Animals.] [[Université de Montréal]].</ref><ref>
Political Construction Sites: Nation-building in Russia and the Post-Soviet World, by Pål Kolstø, p 8</ref><ref>[[Stephen F. Jones]]. [http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Mingrelians-Orientation.html Mingrelians]. ''World Culture Encyclopedia''. Retrieved on March 29, 2008.</ref><ref>[[Kevin Tuite]] [http://www.mapageweb.umontreal.ca/tuitekj/caucasus/Dal.htm The Meaning of Dæl. Symbolic and Spatial Associations of the South Caucasian Goddess of Game Animals.] [[Université de Montréal]].</ref><ref>
Politics of the Black Sea: Dynamics of Cooperation and Conflict, by Tunç Aybak, p 185</ref><ref>Andropov, New Challenge to the West, by Arnold Beichman, Mikhail S. Bernstam, p 116</ref> that mostly live in [[Samegrelo]] (Mingrelia) region of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. They also live in considerable numbers in [[Abkhazia]] and [[Tbilisi]]. Approximately 180,000-200,000 people of Mingrelian provenance have been expelled from Abkhazia as a result of the [[Georgian-Abkhaz conflict]] in the early 1990s and the ensuing [[Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia|ethnic cleansing of Georgians]] in this separatist region.
Politics of the Black Sea: Dynamics of Cooperation and Conflict, by Tunç Aybak, p 185</ref><ref>Andropov, New Challenge to the West, by Arnold Beichman, Mikhail S. Bernstam, p 116</ref> that mostly live in [[Samegrelo]] (Mingrelia) region of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. They also live in considerable numbers in [[Abkhazia]] and [[Tbilisi]]. Approximately 180,000-200,000 people of Mingrelian provenance have been expelled from Abkhazia as a result of the [[Georgian-Abkhaz conflict]] in the early 1990s and the ensuing [[Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia|ethnic cleansing of Georgians]] in this separatist region.


Most Mingrelians speak both the [[Mingrelian language|Mingrelian]] and [[Georgian language|Georgian]] language which belong to the [[Kartvelian languages|Kartvelian language family]], but use only the [[Georgian alphabet]].
Most Mingrelians speak both the [[Mingrelian language|Mingrelian]] and [[Georgian language|Georgian]] language which belong to the [[Kartvelian languages|Kartvelian language family]] (also known as [[South Caucasian languages|South Caucasian language family]] <ref>[http://www.sorosoro.org/en/south-caucasian-language-family Sorosoro.org]</ref> <ref>[http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/iso639-5/ccs.html]</ref> <ref>[http://languageserver.uni-graz.at/ls/group?id=1059]</ref>), but use only the [[Georgian alphabet]].


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Merr Zuther Del'. Interview between Omer Pacha & A Mingrelian lady. Head quarters choloni. Laurence Oliphant. The Trans-Caucasian campaign of the Turkish army under Omer Pasha. 1856.P.188.jpg|thumb|250px|left| Mingrelian lady (right) negotiating with the invading Turks. 1856]]
[[File:Merr Zuther Del'. Interview between Omer Pacha & A Mingrelian lady. Head quarters choloni. Laurence Oliphant. The Trans-Caucasian campaign of the Turkish army under Omer Pasha. 1856.P.188.jpg|thumb|250px|left| Mingrelian lady (right) negotiating with the invading Turks. 1856]]
[[Image:Mercier. Mingrelien (Asie). Auguste Wahlen. Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les peuples du monde. 1843.jpg|thumb|150px|Mingrelian, by unknown artist. 1843.]]
[[Image:Mercier. Mingrelien (Asie). Auguste Wahlen. Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les peuples du monde. 1843.jpg|thumb|150px|Mingrelian, by unknown artist. 1843.]]
The Mingrelians are descendants of several [[Colchis|Colchian]] tribes and constitute one of the building blocks of the unified Georgian nation that emerged after the kingdoms of the west ([[Colchis]]) and east ([[Caucasian Iberia|Iberia]]) were united under Christianity in the middle of the first millennium AD. Early in the Middle Ages, Mingrelian aristocracy and clergy, later followed by laymen, adopted the national Georgian tongue as a language of literacy and culture. After the fragmentation of the [[Kingdom of Georgia]] in the 15th century, Mingrelia was an autonomous principality until being annexed by the [[Russian Empire]] in the 19th century.
The Mingrelians are descendants of several [[Colchis|Colchian]] tribes and constitute one of the building blocks of the unified Georgian nation that emerged after the kingdoms of the west ([[Colchis]]) and east ([[Caucasian Iberia|Iberia]]) were united under Christianity in the middle of the first millennium AD. Early in the Middle Ages, Mingrelian aristocracy and clergy, later followed by laymen, adopted the national Georgian tongue as a language of literacy and culture. After the fragmentation of the [[Kingdom of Georgia]] in the 15th century, Mingrelia was an autonomous principality until being annexed by the [[Russian Empire]] in the 19th century.


In several censuses under the Russian Empire and the early [[Soviet Union]], Mingrelians were mistakenly considered a separate group, largely because at the time of the annexation Mingrelia was politically separate from the eastern Georgian regions, historical political and cultural centers of the Medieval Georgian Kingdoms. They were, however, classified under the broader category of Georgian in the 1930s. Currently, most Mingrelians identify themselves as "Georgian" and have preserved many characteristic cultural features - including the Mingrelian language - that date back to the pre-Christian [[Colchis|Colchian]] era when the modern-day ethnic group of Georgians had yet to come into existence.
In several censuses under the Russian Empire and the early [[Soviet Union]], Mingrelians were mistakenly considered a separate group, largely because at the time of the annexation Mingrelia was politically separate from the eastern Georgian regions, historical political and cultural centers of the Medieval Georgian Kingdoms. They were, however, classified under the broader category of Georgian in the 1930s. Currently, most Mingrelians identify themselves as "Georgian" and have preserved many characteristic cultural features - including the Mingrelian language - that date back to the pre-Christian [[Colchis|Colchian]] era when the modern-day ethnic group of Georgians had yet to come into existence.


The first President of an independent Georgia, [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]] (1939–1993), was a Mingrelian. Therefore, after the violent [[Coup d'etat]] of December 21, 1991 - January 6, 1992, Samegrelo became the centre of a [[Georgian Civil War|civil war]], which ended with the defeat of Gamsakhurdia's supporters.
The first President of an independent Georgia, [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]] (1939–1993), was a Mingrelian {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}. Therefore, after the violent [[Coup d'etat]] of December 21, 1991 - January 6, 1992, Samegrelo became the centre of a [[Georgian Civil War|civil war]], which ended with the defeat of Gamsakhurdia's supporters.


== Notable Mingrelians ==
== Notable Mingrelians ==
* [[Konstantine Gamsakhurdia]], one of the most influential Georgian writers of the 20th century
* [[Konstantine Gamsakhurdia]], one of the most influential Georgian writers of the 20th century {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}
* [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]], first president of post-Soviet Georgia
* [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]], first president of post-Soviet Georgia {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}
* [[Lavrentiy Beria]], [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]]'s chief of secret police
* [[Lavrentiy Beria]], [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]]'s chief of secret police {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}
* [[Merab Kostava]], National Hero of Georgia
* [[Merab Kostava]], National Hero of Georgia {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}

* [[Katie Melua]], Georgian-British singer singer
* [[Levan Kenia]], Georgian international footballer


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 34: Line 33:


== References ==
== References ==
{{commonscat|Mingrelians}}
{{Commons category|Mingrelians}}
* [[Stephen F. Jones]]. [http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Mingrelians.html Mingrelians]. ''World Culture Encyclopedia''.
* [[Stephen F. Jones]]. [http://www.everyculture.com/Russia-Eurasia-China/Mingrelians.html Mingrelians]. ''World Culture Encyclopedia''.


Revision as of 13:48, 18 March 2011

Ekaterine Dadiani, the last ruling princess of the Mingrelians

The Mingrelians[1] (Mingrelian: მარგალი, margali; Georgian: მეგრელები: megrelebi) are a subethnic group of Georgians[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] that mostly live in Samegrelo (Mingrelia) region of Georgia. They also live in considerable numbers in Abkhazia and Tbilisi. Approximately 180,000-200,000 people of Mingrelian provenance have been expelled from Abkhazia as a result of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in the early 1990s and the ensuing ethnic cleansing of Georgians in this separatist region.

Most Mingrelians speak both the Mingrelian and Georgian language which belong to the Kartvelian language family (also known as South Caucasian language family [10] [11] [12]), but use only the Georgian alphabet.

History

Mingrelian lady (right) negotiating with the invading Turks. 1856
Mingrelian, by unknown artist. 1843.

The Mingrelians are descendants of several Colchian tribes and constitute one of the building blocks of the unified Georgian nation that emerged after the kingdoms of the west (Colchis) and east (Iberia) were united under Christianity in the middle of the first millennium AD. Early in the Middle Ages, Mingrelian aristocracy and clergy, later followed by laymen, adopted the national Georgian tongue as a language of literacy and culture. After the fragmentation of the Kingdom of Georgia in the 15th century, Mingrelia was an autonomous principality until being annexed by the Russian Empire in the 19th century.

In several censuses under the Russian Empire and the early Soviet Union, Mingrelians were mistakenly considered a separate group, largely because at the time of the annexation Mingrelia was politically separate from the eastern Georgian regions, historical political and cultural centers of the Medieval Georgian Kingdoms. They were, however, classified under the broader category of Georgian in the 1930s. Currently, most Mingrelians identify themselves as "Georgian" and have preserved many characteristic cultural features - including the Mingrelian language - that date back to the pre-Christian Colchian era when the modern-day ethnic group of Georgians had yet to come into existence.

The first President of an independent Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993), was a Mingrelian [citation needed]. Therefore, after the violent Coup d'etat of December 21, 1991 - January 6, 1992, Samegrelo became the centre of a civil war, which ended with the defeat of Gamsakhurdia's supporters.

Notable Mingrelians


See also

Notes

  1. ^ Alternately, Megrelians, Mingrels, or Megrels
  2. ^ Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict, by Svante E. Cornell, p 142
  3. ^ Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook, by David Levinson, p 34
  4. ^ Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War, by Stuart J. Kaufman, p 86
  5. ^ Political Construction Sites: Nation-building in Russia and the Post-Soviet World, by Pål Kolstø, p 8
  6. ^ Stephen F. Jones. Mingrelians. World Culture Encyclopedia. Retrieved on March 29, 2008.
  7. ^ Kevin Tuite The Meaning of Dæl. Symbolic and Spatial Associations of the South Caucasian Goddess of Game Animals. Université de Montréal.
  8. ^ Politics of the Black Sea: Dynamics of Cooperation and Conflict, by Tunç Aybak, p 185
  9. ^ Andropov, New Challenge to the West, by Arnold Beichman, Mikhail S. Bernstam, p 116
  10. ^ Sorosoro.org
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ [2]

References

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