Supra (feast)

Supra (Georgian: სუფრა

) is a traditional Georgian feast and an important part of Georgian social culture. The word "supra" is derived from the Georgian word for "tablecloth" and is a symbol of Georgian hospitality.

Etymology

The term "supra" comes from the Georgian word სუფრა (supra), which means "tablecloth". It is likely that the tradition of the supra originated from the practice of laying out large tablecloths on the ground for feasts.

Tradition

The supra is an integral part of Georgian social culture, reflecting the country's tradition of hospitality. The feast is known for its abundance of food and wine, and it is common for the meals to last for several hours. During a supra, traditional Georgian dishes are served, such as khachapuri, khinkali, and churchkhela.

A supra is typically led by a tamada, or toastmaster, who is responsible for proposing toasts and maintaining the flow of conversation at the feast. The role of the tamada is highly respected in Georgian culture.

Types of Supra

There are two types of supra: the festive supra (keipi) and the mourning supra (kelekhi). The festive supra is often held during celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and national and religious holidays. The mourning supra, on the other hand, is held after funerals and on anniversaries of a person's death.

Influence

The tradition of the supra has had a significant influence on Georgian culture and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia.

See also

• Culture of Georgia
• Georgian cuisine
• Tamada