St. Andrew the First-Called Georgian University of the Patriarchate of Georgia
Associate Researcher
Philology
Doctor of Philology (PhD)
Tbilisi, Georgia
Abstract
The presented research is conducted within the framework of the project “Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Toponymy of the Gali Municipality” (Code: GSDP-26-1810), which was selected as a winner of the 2026 State Scientific Competition for Kartvelological Research funded by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.
The territory of Abkhazia contains Georgian (Kartvelian), Abkhazian, and Russian toponyms and microtoponyms. Following the war, the administrative boundaries and toponymic landscape of the Gali District itself have changed, and this process continues to the present day. This creates a risk that names currently in use may gradually disappear over time. Therefore, in our view, the documentation and study of the toponymy of the Gali Municipality is an essential and highly important task.
At this stage, we present the toponymy of the village of Gagida, located in the Gali District of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, on the Black Sea coast, within the Samurzakano Lowland. The research focuses on the names of settlements, neighborhoods, and localities within the village.
The materials collected so far demonstrate that the majority of toponyms, microtoponyms, and hydronyms are of Kartvelian origin. Examples include: Dikhagudzba, Papashghali, Ochandare, Nakhreshi, Dokhishi Mindorefi, Ismenishi Nokhori, Padush Nokhori, Bughazi, Maracha, and others.
The presentation will include all types of local onyms, accompanied by linguistic analysis and etymological interpretation.
Keywords
ქართველური, აფხაზეთი, ტოპონიმია, ეტიმოლოგია, გალი