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Culture and traditions of Abkhazians are closely related to the North Caucasians': the Adygeis, the Kabardians, and the Circassians. However, for its centuries-old history Abkhazian cultural has undergone big changes. Its original culture assimilated Greek, Roman, Byzantian, Georgian, Arabian, Turkish and Russian elements. Sometimes beliefs, traditions and languages just intermingled.
The modern culture of Abkhazia is an alloy of Christian and Islamic cultural traditions. Generally Abkhazia is considered an Oriental country. The traditions of well-known Oriental hospitality are common there; there is an entire ceremony intended for welcoming of dear guests. As well as everywhere in the east – a woman – the home keeper – is expected to behave as a good mother. This fact explains her modest attire.
In Abkhazia the cult of legends and fairy tales, basically connected either with names of settlements and natural objects or with actions and superstitions is still strong.
Abkhazian applied art is represented by numerous household objects: utensils, ware, items made of cattle horns, wood, metal, fabrics.
The subsistence economy contributed to the development of various art crafts. Almost all items necessary in housekeeping were made in every peasant family there. Artisans could produce artistically designed objects used in everyday life which also served as decorative elements. Women did needlework, spun threads, knitted, weaved, embroidered and sewed. Men processed timber, horns, and metals to make various household goods.
Abkhazians are very musical. The harmonized Abkhazian folk music is extraordinary beautiful and original. Folk songs, which are passed by word of mouth from generation to generation, are considered their national treasure, capable of conveying the nation' spiritual beauty, psychology, outlook, everyday life and customs. The folk music of Abkhazians features labor, ceremonial, historical and household songs, each having its genre features and versions.
Abkhazians honor their singing art so much that they even… sing their dances. Yes they do, there is a special genre of dance songs. The ó are danced under harmonica and drum accompaniment, and everyone present necessarily accompanies the tunes with exclamations and hand clapping to the rhythm of dance moves. The dances are dominated by temperamental men's acts and man-and-woman dances.
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