Georgian Traditional Men's Collective Labor Song "Naduri" in the Field and on the Stage (Past and Present)
Author : LevanVeshapidze
Abstract :Georgian labor songs are diverse, and within this diversity, the group of "Naduri" songs related to men’s collective labor is particularly noteworthy. "Nadi" is a form of collective help used in Georgian villages when a family lacked resources to complete a task (e.g., hoeing a field) and turned to neighbors for assistance. This activity mainly took place in summer during hot weather, so to enhance productivity and make the work more enjoyable, various "Naduri" songs were sung from morning till evening. These songs, distinguished by their high artistic value, are primarily spread in western Georgia, specifically in Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Lechkhumi, and Samegrelo. The presence of four-part harmonies in Naduri songs is an unusual phenomenon in the musical practices of the world’s peoples. Therefore, it is quite natural that Georgian labor songs have attracted the attention of foreign researchers. Notable names such as Archangelo Lamberti, Siegfried Nadel, Carl Bucher, Robert Lach, Jacques François Gamba, Jules Mourier, and others played significant roles in their study. Since human labor has been replaced by machines, Naduri songs have transitioned from daily life to the stage, leading to their transformation. Interestingly, as an expert in "Naduri" songs (with 30 years of experience in researching and performing these songs), a few years ago, I began creating new "Naduri" songs, which are now included in the repertoire of several ensembles. Thus, the presented work examines the authentic and stage contexts of the existence of "Naduri" songs.
Keywords :Georgian labor songs, Naduri, collective work songs, folk music, cultural heritage, polyphony, western Georgia, traditional music, music and labor, ethnomusicology
Conference Name :International Conference on Music Theory, Composition, Analysis and Musicology(ICMTCAM-25)
Conference Place Frankfurt, Germany
Conference Date 15th Apr 2025
