Culture Post: Supras!

One of the most important elements of Georgian culture is hospitality. Often they can be so hospitable, you will find yourself presented with more food, sweets, coffee, wine and limonati (soda flavored with fruits) than you could ever hope to consume. Georgians live for community and connecting with their neighbors and family.

One way this is done is through Supras. A supra is a large feast, often held in someone’s home, that celebrates an event. The meal can often last hours, with a quantity of many traditional dishes, lots of bread and of course, toasts. Often cold dishes of mayo based salads, vegetables, bread and khachapuri (bread baked with cheese) are laid out first to eat while the hostess brings out dish after dish of hot stewed meats, fish, and refills on anything running low.

At the head of the table sits the “Tamada” or toast master. This person, usually a man, is chosen for his rhetorical skill and eloquent speech, as well as his ability to consume a lot of alcohol without appearing drunk. He proposes many toasts, in the appropriate order, and is always the first to drink. While toasting, conversation usually stops.

The first toast is given to peace

The second toast is to honor the reason for the gathering (i.e. a specific person, a holiday, etc.)

After this the toasts are opened up to what the toast master wishes. Usually there will be a toast to parents and children, and if any foreign guests are present, a toast will be made early on to them. When I am present at a surpra there is always a toast to friendship between Sakartvelo and America (გაუმარჯოს მეგობრობა ამერიკიდან და საქართველო). There are also personal toasts that follow specific to the occasion and later in the evening a toast to Sakartvelo will be made. Some personal toasts generally made are to love, groups of people, a family, the host, ancestors and people who have died, or friendship between families and countries. As the supra wraps up, a senior member of the party will ask the Tamada for permission to toast. This toast is given to the Tamada as thanks for leading the supra well and honoring him.

When a toast is made, men are expected to empty their glasses, however women are not. While this rule is generally followed, I have many experiences where a very important toast was presented and I was expected to bolomde (ბოლომდე) or chug a glass of wine like a shot. Bolomde means “to the bottom”.

During the supra, alcohol is not consumed outside of a toast and you never drink while the toast master is talking. You must wait for him to finish and drink, then cheers (გაუმარჯოს), then drink. After the Tamada talks, often another person will stand up and elaborate on this theme, adding to the toast or personalizing it.

The supra tradition is rich and runs deep in the blood of Kartuli people. I hope you enjoyed this brief description based on my personal experiences. Every supra is a little different, but follow the general guidelines of hospitality, lots of food, many toasts, and a night of smiles and laughter. The supra table is a special place of peace between people of conflict and a place to share feelings of warmth and love.