Georgian Tamada

There are many traditions associated with wine. Just as the Japanese have the “tea ceremony”, Georgians have wine ceremonies. In Georgia, a newborn child is welcomed with a toast. When he gets married, his new family is blessed with a toast. At his death, a farewell is said with a toast. The importance of wine is also reflected in the simple process of drinking wine. For a westerner, a glass of wine can be enjoyed with a fine dinner or during a pleasant conversation, yet Georgians managed to complicate this simple luxury. How, you ask? These answers will open up the treasures of the country’s history and give foreigners a rare glance into a Georgian’s character. Let's start by sharing a century old tradition in which a person is designated as the “Tamada”.

The Tamada

In Georgia it is frowned upon to drink wine alone. When two or more Georgians get together to enjoy wine, one of them will be designated "Tamada”. Tamada is similar to what westerners refer to as “master of ceremonies”. A Tamada sets the tone of the feast. He selects the wine and blesses the host wishing him many fruitful harvests. He then welcomes all that are gathered to fill their khantsis (a vessel made out of a mountain ram's horn) and leads in the following 7 toasts :

The first toast is to "peace". After the Tamada drinks his wine each participant stands up and toasts to peace as well.

With the second toast, the Tamada blesses "the hostess" thanking her for the warm welcome and compliments her on her efforts. Again, all stand and say a toast in her honor. After this toast is said, the hostess must pick up her khantsi and say a toast of thanks to all that have come.

The third toast goes to "the country" wishing prosperity, a bright future and the defeat of all enemies. All then stand and toast to the country. At this time, participants will strike up a song of praise to their country.

For the fourth, a toast is said in honor of all "the mothers"

Next, the Tamada offers a toast to "all that have passed away" and have earned the right to be remembered. At this point, the hostess brings a dish with bread and salt. This toast is the only one where the Tamada leaves some wine in the khantsi in honor of their memory. The Tamada then pours this wine onto the bread.

Immediately after this, he leads everyone in a toast to "life" which is the sixth toast.

The seventh toast is dedicated to "love" and it’s importance in our everyday lives.

Other toasts often follow and such are addressed to siblings, friends and the finer things in life.