The chichilaki ( ka, ჩიჩილაკი) is a
Georgian
Georgian may refer to:
Common meanings
* Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country)
** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasian ethnic group
** Georgian language, a Kartvelian language spoken by Georgians
**Georgian scripts, three scrip ...
traditional
Christmas tree made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches that are shaved to form a small coniferous tree. These pale-colored ornaments differ in height from 20 cm (8 in) to 3 meters (10 feet). Chichilakis are most common in the
Guria
Guria ( ka, გურია) is a region (''mkhare'') in Georgia, in the western part of the country, bordered by the eastern end of the Black Sea. The region has a population of 113,000 (2016), with Ozurgeti as the regional capital.
Geography ...
and
Samegrelo
Mingrelia ( ka, სამეგრელო, tr; xmf, სამარგალო, samargalo; ab, Агырны, Agirni) is a historic province in the western part of Georgia, formerly known as Odishi. It is primarily inhabited by the Mingrelian ...
regions near the
Black Sea
The Black Sea is a marginal mediterranean sea of the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia. It is bounded by Bulgaria, Georgia, Rom ...
, but they can also be found in some stores around the capital of
Tbilisi
Tbilisi ( ; ka, თბილისი ), in some languages still known by its pre-1936 name Tiflis ( ), is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River with a population of approximately 1.5 million p ...
.
Chichilaki is currently proposed by the
President of Georgia to be inscribed on the
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
.
Georgian tradition
The traditional making of chichilakis is an important part of the Georgian Orthodox Christmas, which is observed on 7 January. The Georgians believe that the shaved tree resembles the famous beard of
St. Basil the Great, who is thought to visit people during
Christmas
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year ...
similar to the
Santa Claus tradition. It is also believed that the chichilakis represent the tree of life, a symbol of hope for the Georgians.
Every year, people flock to stalls to buy chichilakis and decorate them with small fruits and berries. Apples, pomegranates, and madder are attached to the tree as offerings to heaven for a bountiful harvest.
The chichilakis are then ceremoniously burned on the day before the Georgian Orthodox
Epiphany
Epiphany may refer to:
* Epiphany (feeling), an experience of sudden and striking insight
Religion
* Epiphany (holiday), a Christian holiday celebrating the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ
** Epiphany season, or Epiph ...
on 19 January to symbolize the passing of the previous year's troubles. Some families in Samegrelo purchase chichilakis for relatives who have recently died.
Soviet ban
During the Soviet occupation of Georgia in 1921, the sale of chichilakis was banned because the Soviets viewed it as a religious symbol. While they allowed the Georgians to keep some aspects of their culture, they condemned any semblance of religious customs. This decree stayed in effect until the fall of Soviet rule in Georgia in 1990. Since then, the popularity of chichilakis has risen.
Environmental concerns
The use of the chichilaki as a Christmas decoration is generally believed by the Georgians to be more environment-friendly
“Georgians rediscover Christmas tree traditions”. BBC News.
Retrieved 7 March 2013 than the cutting of pine trees. Since they are made from pruned branches, it is considered beneficial to the health of the trees.
The Georgian government has taken steps to support the preservation of the environment by placing a costly fine on anyone found harvesting and transporting pine trees outside of the registered farms. The fine is set at about US$1,200 (£765), three times the average monthly salary. They have also improved their forest ranger patrols around the country.
See also
*Inau
Inau or Inaw (Ainu: イナウ or イナゥ) is an Ainu term for a ritual wood-shaving stick used in Ainu prayers to the spiritual world. They were used in most Ainu religious rituals, and were also frequently made to request assistance for hunti ...
References
External links
“Traditional hazelnut ‘Chichilaki’ popular in Tbilisi”. Jewish News One
{{Christmas trees
Christmas trees
Culture of Georgia (country)
Georgian words and phrases