Sophio kekua

On the Toponymic Changes in the Gali District /Based on the Example of the Village of Pirveli Gali/ Toponyms frequently undergo various modifications or, in certain cases, disappear entirely. Therefore, it is essential to periodically record and verify them, as well as to determine the causes behind these changes or disappearances based on sound etymological analysis. In terms of toponymic research, the region of Abkhazia − specifically the territory of Samurzakano − offers highly interesting and diverse material, which we examine on the example of the particular villages. At this stage, the objective of our report is to present the toponymic changes that have occurred in this region over the last twenty to thirty years, drawing upon data from the village of Pirveli Gali. The village Pirveli Gali is located in Abkhazia, on the Samurzakano lowland, within the Gali district. It is situated 5 km away from the regional center. The administrative center of the village is Samkvari, which includes the following settlements: Zemo (upper) Gali, Kokhora, Lekumkhara, Partoghali, and Tskhiri. The village of Pirveli Gali is situated in the Nishoni River valley, on the shores of the Gali reservoir. It is known that Pirveli Gali was previously the name of a Soviet state farm (sovkhoz) and later became the name of the village itself. In 1923, Pirveli Gali was incorporated into the Gali Mazra (district) with three villages. A massive restructuring of toponyms has been carried out in Abkhazia in recent years. Today's Pirveli Gali is incorporated into the Tkvarcheli district − which is composed of villages from both the Gali and Ochamchire districts − under the altered name of Galkhuch, which signifies “Little Gali”. The village is rich in onyms, with toponyms and hydronyms of Kartvelian origin being observed: Nishoni, Papash Ghal, Kochish Ghal, Rechish Ghal, Iliash Tskhar(i), Rechia, Bartskhili, etc. Names carrying an Abkhazian nuance are also revealed, such as: Abazhu, Akvaratoba, Atsfpsara... Names of Russian and English origin are also attested: Paselyok (Russ. Poselok 'settlement'), Gesi (Russ. GES 'Enguri Hydroelectric Power Station'), PTU (Russ. PTU - Pedagogical Technical School), and Elling (Eng. Helling 'concealing, covering'), which today serves as a recreational and entertainment venue. Ultimately, it becomes evident that although the village name Pirveli Gali has been replaced by the Abkhazified form Galkhuch, the locals continue to use it in its old name just as before. However, this does not eliminate the risk that, over time, both the name of the village and the toponyms of Kartvelian or Abkhazian origin identified here may eventually be lost.

ონომასტიკა, ტოპონიმია, აფხაზეთი, სამურზაყანო, პირველი გალი