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Georgian Polyphonic Singing: A Complete Guide

A distinctive tradition of polyphonic singing passed down through village communities in Georgia for centuries. Here are its core concepts.

What Georgian Polyphonic Singing Is

Georgian polyphonic singing is a traditional choral style in which multiple voice parts sing distinct melodies simultaneously, passed down across Georgia over hundreds of years. It is recognized as having developed its own harmonic system, independently of the harmonic traditions found elsewhere in Europe.

Distinct Regional Styles

Georgian polyphonic singing varies noticeably by region -- the Kakheti region is known for relatively refined, structured harmonies, while the Guria region features a more complex, improvisational vocal style -- showing considerable musical diversity even within a single country.

Krimanchuli: Yodel-Like Vocals from Guria

Krimanchuli is a high, sharp falsetto singing technique found in the polyphonic singing of the Guria region, often compared to European yodeling. It is used for the highest vocal part in a piece, adding a distinctive tension and brilliance to the sound.

The Supra Feast and Its Connection to Song

A supra is a traditional Georgian feast where people gather to share food and offer toasts. Polyphonic singing is frequently performed between or during toasts, showing how closely song and communal culture are intertwined.

A Tradition Passed Down by Ear

For a long time, Georgian polyphonic singing was passed down not through written notation but by ear and voice, generation to generation, within village communities. In more recent years, efforts to transcribe and record the songs have also been underway to help preserve them.

Sacred and Secular Music

Georgian polyphonic singing appears both in the liturgical music of the Georgian Orthodox Church and in secular everyday music, such as work songs and feast songs. The two branches are understood to have developed together, influencing one another over time.

The Panduri: A Traditional Stringed Accompaniment

The panduri is a traditional three-stringed Georgian instrument frequently used to accompany polyphonic singing or solo vocals. Related instruments with slightly different string counts or shapes are also passed down in various regions.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Georgian polyphonic singing was included in UNESCO's first-ever Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001, and was later carried over onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is internationally recognized as one of Georgia's defining cultural treasures.

Music Made by the Whole Community

A defining feature of Georgian polyphonic singing is that it is not an art reserved for professional singers -- it is everyday music that ordinary villagers sing together naturally at feasts and gatherings. This tradition is regarded as having played an important role in reinforcing a sense of community and identity in Georgian society.

A Harmonic System That Developed Independently

The harmonic structure of Georgian polyphonic singing developed along its own distinct path, separate from Western European harmonic theory, which has drawn significant attention from musicologists. The fact that distinct styles coexist across different regions is also cited as evidence of the richness of this tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are needed to perform Georgian polyphonic singing?

It is usually performed in three vocal parts, though the number of singers and parts can vary by region and song. What matters most is not a fixed number of performers but the polyphonic structure itself, in which multiple distinct melodic lines weave together.

Can any song be sung at a supra feast?

A supra is led by a toastmaster called a "tamada," and the songs sung often follow the flow of the feast and the theme of each toast to some degree. That said, spontaneous participation from guests blends naturally into the occasion as well.