Georgian wrestling gains Intangible Cultural Heritage status

The sport of Georgian wrestling – Chidaoba – will be preserved in history as the country looks to grant the sport with the status of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’.

The decision to include Chidaoba on the list of Cultural Heritage has been made and the Ministry of Culture will publically confirm this next week.

First, the Ministry is tasked with defining a national category for Georgian wrestling, as a unique sport and art, and then an international discussion will begin about inscribing it on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"This process will take some time,” said acting Culture Minister Alexander Margishvili after today’s Government meeting.

Wrestling is a historically important sport in Georgia. Some historians believe the Greco-Roman style of wrestling incorporated many Georgian elements.

Within Georgia, one of the most popular style of wrestling is the Kakhetian style. There are a number of other styles although they are not as widely practiced today.

In Georgia, wrestling is usually accompanied with a special piece of music called Sachidao. Georgians would stand in circle and two chosen athletes, called Palavanis, who would fight in the middle.

Wrestling championships are still held annually in villages throughout Georgia.