The class of dagger bearers to be revived in Georgia

Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

Recently two young men were injured by knives in the center of Tbilisi, on Freedom Square. Witnesses say that two men wearing national clothes - chokha - were seen near the square before the incident. An integral part of a chokha is a dagger. There is a view that a chokha should be put on with all accessories (including cartridge chambers and a dagger) or it shouldn’t be put on at all.

According to the investigation, there was a fight between young people and citizens in chokha (they are called Chokhosanis). The Chokhosanis used a dagger. The injured were taken to hospital. The police initiated a criminal case. And the most interesting thing began: two Chokhosanis, whose names were found out immediately, were not arrested. The former authorities had stopped street crimes and dangerous fights due to the absence of tolerance of any criminal behaviour.

Later, a reasonable version appeared on social networks that the chokhosanis were members of the special order of Chokhosnebi (“wearing chokha”), which has been established at the new court of the heir to the Georgian throne, Georgy Bagrationi. Vestnik Kavkaza already reported about the project of monarchy revival which has been supported by the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Reviving the nobility, including successors of ancient princely families, trying to establish a sort of a class which would have at least the appearance and features of social uniqueness, if without social benefits. One such feature is chokha with a dagger.

The fact that the modern reformed police don’t dare resist medieval views (trying not to annoy the church) and cannot arrest bandits who injured two “commoners” is considered to be a dangerous symptom in Georgia. The liberal part of society demands a ban on bearing daggers, as a protest against reviving medieval traditions and mentality. However, the initiative faces resistance from traditionalists, including some MPs. Recently they initiated a draft requiring all MPs to wear chokha (with daggers of course) at parliamentary sessions. Considering the fact that discussions in the Georgian parliament often turn into heavy mutual insults and even fights, I fear to think about law-making under the conditions in a country which has recently initialled an association agreement with the EU.