UDZILAURTA, Thursday 24.07 to Sunday 27.07.97 (Tavqevisberi Ioseb K'och'lishvili)

TH Tavqevisberi with banner, accompanied by commune members, arrives at Cixetgori, meets members of local Xevsur community. Celebrate joint feast with sacrifices and round dance (perxuli).

FR Tavqevisberi with banner and knapsack containing cups and wine, etc. crosses river, climbs Muchis Mta to shrine Iremtk'alo on summit. He and community members camp out there for the night.

SA festivities at Iremtk'alo:

9h When sun appears above mountains, Tavqevisberi rings bell, gives morning invocation (dilis rigi). Begins sacrificing sheep & cattle offerings. People prepare food for banquets.

15h Men drink saq'eino beer, on all fours, in front of Iremtk'alo sanctuary.

16h30 Horse race (doghi): Riders circle Iremtk'alo sanctuary 3x; ride off to small shrine, which they circle 3x. Tavqevisberi rings bell to signal start of race. Winner and other riders once again circle Iremtk'alo 3x. All present toast winner with beer given him as prize.

18h Tavqevisberi rings bell and takes up banner; men gather and sing perxuli while circumambulating shrine 3x. People descend from summit, led by Tavqevisberi.

19h He stops at small shrine Sak'virao in woods; rings bell (hanging from tree), those present drink toasts. Group continues descent to campsite near communal shrine of Ber-K'op'ala.

SU festivities at communal shrine:

9h Rings bell, gives morning invocation. Begins receiving offerings & sacrificing sheep.

12h Takes banner, leads group of women & guests around village to Deda-Ghvtismshobeli shrine on opposite ridge. Leaves women outside shrine precincts; enters with men, rings bell, those present drink toasts. Comes back out, performs women's presentation ritual.

13h Returns to communal shrine. People prepare banquet.

17h Rings bell, signalling end of festival.