Georgia’s ancient wrestling tradition, where athletes grapple in close contact using specialized holds and techniques passed down through centuries of competitive practice.
In UNESCO’s words
Chidaoba (wrestling) is an ancient form of martial art practised by a large proportion of the male population throughout all the regions, villages and communities of Georgia. Bearers of the tradition include young people, city residents, sports clubs, educational institutions and amateur organizations. The practice is a complex phenomenon that combines elements of wrestling, music, dance and special garments (‘chokha’). Having had a combat function until the late Middle Ages, Chidaoba gradually became a spectacular sport. Tournaments take place in an open-air arena, surrounded by a large audience, accompanied by a wind instrument (‘zurna’) and Georgian drum (‘doli’) music, which marks the beginning. Wrestlers attempt to defeat each other through special holds, and vibrant music enhances the dynamics of the contest. The code of conduct is chivalric, and occasionally the wrestlers leave the arena with a Georgian folk dance. Chidaoba uses an important number of special wrestling holds: there are an estimated 200 such holds and counter-holds, the combination of which speaks to the wrestlers’ creativity. The practice encourages a healthy lifestyle and plays an important role in intercultural dialogue. From early spring to autumn, young people practise wrestling outdoors, mastering skills previously acquired by watching matches, and there are wrestling sections in almost every village and city of Georgia.
Official description, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List — Chidaoba, wrestling in Georgia
At a glance
Chidaoba is an ancient martial art and form of wrestling practised across Georgia by a large proportion of the male population in villages and communities throughout all regions. The tradition combines elements of wrestling, music, dance, and special garments called the chokha. Once serving a combat function until the late Middle Ages, chidaoba gradually transformed into a spectacular sport that remains central to Georgian culture.
Origins & history
Chidaoba functioned as a form of combat until the late Middle Ages, after which it gradually evolved into a spectacular sport. The practice has been maintained and passed down through generations, with young people and community members continuing to master the tradition through observation and participation.
The practice
Tournaments take place in open-air arenas surrounded by audiences and accompanied by traditional wind instrument and drum music that marks the beginning. Wrestlers employ an estimated 200 special holds and counter-holds, the combination of which reflects their creativity and skill. Competitors attempt to defeat each other through these specialized techniques. From early spring to autumn, young people practise outdoors, mastering skills through watching matches. Wrestling sections exist in almost every village and city, while sports clubs and educational institutions also support the practice.
Cultural significance
Chidaoba plays an important role in encouraging a healthy lifestyle and serves as a vehicle for intercultural dialogue within Georgia. The code of conduct governing the sport is chivalric in nature. The tradition remains significant to communities across the country, with wrestlers occasionally concluding matches by leaving the arena with a Georgian folk dance, further embedding the practice within cultural life.
Key facts
- Country: Georgia
- Inscribed: 2018
- UNESCO list: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- UNESCO reference: 01371
- UNESCO vocabulary: Instrumental music; Martial arts; Wrestling
- Map: not shown — UNESCO’s official description of this element names no locality, and a living tradition is practised across a community, not at one address.
Where to experience it
Chidaoba flourishes throughout Georgia's villages and cities, where wrestling sections operate in nearly every community. From early spring through autumn, young people practise outdoors while spectators gather in open-air arenas to watch tournaments accompanied by traditional zurna and doli music. Visitors can witness matches featuring the sport's estimated 200 special holds, observe wrestlers in their distinctive chokha garments, and see competitors occasionally conclude bouts with Georgian folk dance—a living testament to this ancient martial tradition's continuing role across all regions of Georgia.
Sources & resources
- UNESCO — official element page: Chidaoba, wrestling in Georgia
- UNESCO — open data record: Intangible Heritage List, reference 01371
- UNESCO — official photograph: Photograph of this element — Kakha Bukhrasvili — President of Georgian National Wrestling Federation, 2017
- Reference — Wikipedia (secondary): Sport in Georgia (country) — consulted as a secondary reference, not as confirmation
- Cultural Heritage Online: Our archive and city guides
Sources
- S1 — Green, Thomas A., and Joseph R. Svinth, eds. Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2010. ISBN 978-1-59884-243-2.
- S2 — Suny, Ronald Grigor. The Making of the Georgian Nation. Indiana University Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0-253-20915-3.
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