On the Historical and Historical-Geographical Past of the Enguri Valley (Along Jvari, that is, the Enguri Reservoir)

Abstract

The Enguri, one of Georgia’s major rivers, originates in Upper Svaneti. Near the village of Jvari, the river is dammed by one of the largest hydroelectric structures in the world. After the reservoir was filled, the villages that had previously existed in this area disappeared beneath its waters. Historically and geographically, this section of the Enguri Gorge is of particular interest, as it marks the boundary between two historical regions of Georgia: Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti. Today, the administrative border between the municipalities of Tsalenjikha and Mestia runs through the Enguri Reservoir. Since ancient times, a road passing through this area led toward Upper Svaneti, connecting the mountainous region of the western Caucasus with the Colchian lowlands. Although numerous historical and archaeological monuments are found here, written records about the Enguri Gorge are scarce. The earliest references date back only to the seventeenth century. Information about later periods can be found in the works of nineteenth-century authors such as D. Bakradze, A. Stoyanov, and Rades. In one section of the Enguri Valley, a dispute arose between the Dadiani nobles of Jvari and the Dadeshkeliani family of Svaneti. The valley, characterized by its mountainous terrain, contains many tributaries flowing into the reservoir. In this study, we have attempted to correct the names of settlements and rivers that are inaccurately represented on modern maps, while also explaining the meanings of the Megrelian toponyms preserved in the area. The main settlement in the valley is Jvari, where the Magana tributary joins the Enguri River. A watchtower stands in the nearby village of Omune, and the remains of two old churches have survived in the settlement of Gubani. The principal village of the valley was Khudoni, alongside the smaller settlements of Khoko, Furashi, Tspheshi, Kaa, Bogurjeli, Tkyishi, and Muntsqwa. Local rivers include Barbala, Tkyishisghali, Khobaneqali, Etsi, Rchkhrina, Kashghali, Gveletona, and Ganjishghali. The Megrelian name of the main river, Ingiri (Enguri), is, in our view, associated with the idea of swollen, icy-cold water – perhaps reflecting the river’s frequent floods before the construction of the Enguri Hydroelectric Power Station. The name of the Magana River, on the other hand, may be linked to the beaver (magana), as its channel resembles the animal’s typical habitat. Although the valley contains relatively little arable land, several branches of agriculture were practiced here: wheat, fruit, and vegetable cultivation. Livestock breeding – especially of cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs – was the primary occupation. The surrounding mountains provided rich pastures, and active trade was maintained between Jvari and the Upper Svanetian village of Lakhamul.