Healing Incantations in the Folklore of Tao-Klarjeti

Abstract

One of the archaic genres of Georgian folk oral tradition — the incantation (shelotsva) — remained in active folkloric use until relatively recently within the collective memory of Georgian communities residing in historical Tao-Klarjeti. This remarkable layer of Georgian magical poetry remains well preserved in their cultural consciousness. The incantations widespread in historical Tao-Klarjeti constitute valuable variants of those known throughout other regions of Georgia and display notable affinity with Adjara corpus. Rooted in the belief in the magical power of the spoken word, this popular genre is frequently referred to by locals as dua, a Turkish term meaning “prayer.” In Georgian folkloric usage as well, the term shelotsva (“incantation”) often alternates with the word lotsva (“prayer”). Our ancestors believed that supernatural connections existed between objects and phenomena. According to their worldview, any entity or occurrence could function as a potential source of beneficent or malevolent force. To influence such forces, ritual intervention was required. Verbal formulas were accompanied by specific ceremonial actions aimed at subduing the invisible forces of nature, culminating in the formation of the incantation — a form that reflects humanity’s ancient aspiration to overcome obstacles and attain desired goals.
For every illness, our ancestors created a distinct incantation, believing that magical words possessed healing power. Among the population of Tao-Klarjeti, various healing charms were widely practiced against the evil eye (gatvalva), fright, abdominal pain, tia i.e. hernia, worms, headaches, ringworm, warts, sprains, ocular pain, and “evil winds,” among others. These incantations were intended not only for humans but also for domestic animals and poultry.
The study of incantations preserved in the oral tradition of the descendants of Georgians living in the villages of historical Tao-Klarjeti demonstrates that this folkloric phenomenon constitutes an organic part of common Kartvelian oral tradition.