Religion

Religion and faith have always played major roles in forming social identities. Shared beliefs but also participating in shared rituals and customs help individuals see themselves as connected to others and as part of a larger whole. Religion and faith are also important in creating “others,” or groups considered outside and separate from a culture, which can be of particular importance with multiple cultures are present within a single state.

Filter the below articles for: Slavic, Turkic, Caucasian, Baltics, or other cultures.

Chichilaki and Alilo: Georgia’s Unique Celebrations of Christmas

Georgia’s Christmas traditions of chichilaki and alilo reflect the deeprooted importance of tradition, sustainability, and religious expression in Georgian culture. Chichilaki are a unique, eco-friendly alternative to the Christmas tree that have been present in Georgian culture since ancient times. Meanwhile, alilo is a caroling tradition when costumed Georgian take to streets to sing religious […]

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