Manana Tsereteli

PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology
The University of Georgia
Assistant Professor
Researcher at the Tamaz Beradze Institute of Kartvelology
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2597-1791
mtsereteli@ug.edu.g

Ganjifa (also known as ganjafa) in the Correspondence of Raphiel Eristavi

This study examines the presence of ganjifa (also known as ganjafa) playing cards in the correspondence of Raphiel Eristavi, a prominent 19th-century Georgian intellectual. Ganjifa, a traditional card game originating in Persia and popular in various parts of Asia, appears as a subject of interest in Eristavi's letters, offering a unique lens through which to explore cultural exchange and intellectual curiosity in 19th-century Georgia. The research aims to analyze the context and significance of ganjifa's mention in Eristavi's writings, considering its implications for understanding the circulation of cultural artifacts and ideas between Georgia and its eastern neighbors. By investigating Eristavi's engagement with ganjifa, this study seeks to illuminate aspects of Georgian elite culture, patterns of cross-cultural interaction, and the potential influence of Eastern traditions on Georgian society during this period. The findings may contribute to broader discussions on cultural diffusion, the interests of Georgian intellectuals, and the role of games in social and cultural life during the 19th-century.

Keywords: History, women, national consciousness