Abstract
Migrations were less typical of sedentary peoples, with private land ownership and farming traditions. The Georgians were one of those. They preserved the territory under the conditions of ancient and almost continuous statehood, and a large part of them still live in their historical homeland. Therefore, the Georgian diaspora in different countries of the world is not very large. The centers of Georgian culture created outside Georgia were perceived as an integral part of the country. Georgian diasporas gathered around them at different times, and through them, they maintained ties with the homeland. The diasporas that escaped violence or were forcibly displaced were more numerous in Fereydan of Persia and the Georgians who emigrated to Constantinople and France due to the conquest by Soviet Russia. The diaspora in France was considered the largest until recently. Mass migration from Georgia in 1992 is an example of those who escaped political danger and economic hardship.
TopGeorgian Communities In Historical Retrospect Georgian Cultural And Monastic Centers
One of the important factors of migration is the adoption of Christianity by the Georgians in old times. Since the Christianity was often persecuted by the conquerors, due to the lack of suitable conditions for church activities, many clerics chose to work abroad. The creation of hearths by Georgians in other countries was of culture tracking and mandatory character. Historically, culture tracking prevailed, which implied the creation of educational, scientific, and religious centers in foreign countries. Religious centers abroad, which, at the same time were, monastic centers, represented the bridge through which Georgian culture and Georgian Christianity established a connection with the world church and world culture, through which the achievements of Georgian culture were introduced to the world and the achievements of world culture were accessible to Georgians. Eastern origin of the Georgian Church naturally led to the emergence of an ancient Georgian monastic colony in Palestine and Syria. It can be said that the foundation of these archaic diasporas was based on religious and cultural independence. This is evidenced by the stability and continuity of these monastic centers, which was determined by the national and cultural identity, which will be examined below. The figure of the oldest Georgian monastic colony in Palestine was Peter the Iberian (“Nabarnugios” according to Syrian sources), Bishop of Majuma (411-491), whose name is connected with the construction of Georgian sanctuaries in and near Jerusalem. Some scholars consider him the author of the Areopagus. In 433. Peter the Iberian founded a monastery in the Jordanian desert in the vicinity of Bir el Qutt, which played a great role in the history of Georgian culture. In 532 Near Jerusalem, Georgians had their chapel at St. Sabbas Monastery, which became an important center of Georgian literature in the 8th -10th cc. The reform of the Georgian literary language is related to the mentioned center. The special script known as “Sabatsmiduri” (lit. of St. Sabbas') and different editions of the biblical books known by the same name.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Lobbyism: Refers to the practice of influencing legislative bodies and high-ranking officials of the state; it aims to determine the state policy following the interests of relevant groups (passing certain bills, state orders, subsidies, and protection of women's interests). There is a network of agencies that express the interests of large companies, trade unions, and public-political organizations. Professional solicitors who work in policy consulting firms and companies are hired as lobbyists.
Migrant Networks: A connection between people that unites migrants, ex-migrants, and non-migrants in places of origin and destination through the ties of kinship, friendship and common descent.
Nationalism: In one meaning, is the perception of nation and nation-state as of highest value, and loyalty to them is dominant.
Culture Tracking: Culture bearer, spreader, contributor.
Mamluk: White warrior slaves of non-Muslim origin, means belonging to.
Bagrationi: Georgian royal dynasty in 809-1801. They were originally from Speri province of Southern Georgia (now Ispir in Turkey), being among the oldest extant Christian dynasties in the world.
Diaspora: Diaspora implies compatriots living temporarily or permanently in another country, with or without citizenship, who have not experienced assimilation in the host country over time, they carry the memory of their origin, maintain the connection with their homeland in various ways, and are characterized by social activities or interest groups focused on their community. Diaspora is a Greek word that means to scatter (seed).
Transnationalism: The process through which immigrants form and maintain multifaceted relations that connect communities of origin and host; Living in two societies simultaneously and balancing between them.
Identity: Identity is a Latin word for sameness. In special anthropological and sociological literature, this word is a term and is used to express one of the main relations characteristic of human society. It indicates the connection of an individual with a group when based on certain markers a person considers himself a part of unity.
Migration: Mechanical movement of people is the oldest socio-geographic phenomenon in the history of mankind. Migration is a Latin word that means displacement. From time immemorial, people moved from one area to another for food, shelter, employment, trade, medical treatment, education, and travel; to explore/conquer new lands, to maintain cultural identity, and survive.