The Svans: A Georgian Community Living in Another Time | SLICE | FULL DOCUMENTARY

Nestled in a picturesque valley between Abkhazia and South Ossetia lie the 40 mountain villages of Svaneti, homeland of the Svans. Towering mountains reaching heights of 5000 meters surround this remote region of Georgia. Accessing the Georgian mountains is challenging, and time appears to stand still here.
The Svans distinguish themselves from other Georgians with their strong adherence to tradition. They fiercely preserve their medieval culture, maintaining their own language and a unique cult of icons. Despite modern advancements, the Svans continue to farm their meager land without the use of machinery, and ancient rituals remain a vital part of their daily lives.
A new era has dawned for the Svans, marked by change and adaptation. Yet, they are determined not to forsake their cherished values and age-old traditions.
Documentary: The Svans - Between Tradition and Modern World
Direction: Andreas Lünser
Production: Spiegel TV
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#documentary #slice #fulldocumentary #freedocumentary #georgia #rural #nature #culture #traditions

[@chaznonya4]

Someone please tell them civilization is overrated. Keep those kids safe up there.

[@franckorphanos2998]

Yes cults have a great track record with the kiddies .

[@spaghettiqueen230]

I was just thinking the opposite

[@franckorphanos2998]

@@spaghettiqueen230 I was being sarcastic.

[@chaznonya4]

@@spaghettiqueen230 why? They have clean food, clean water, clean air and a society of loved ones. Why mess with perfection?

[@maryearll3359]

​​​@@chaznonya4This is not perfection - no immediate medical care, perhaps an unhealthy diet due to limited variety, no dental care, poor washing facilities, no sanitary wear for women during menstruation. Those five things alone would help me decide where I would rather live. The little lads scoliosis will not improve by correct posture, that is the only thing his father can be offered; he will need treatment to balance the muscles of his back and hard manual labour, which he is doing already, will only make matters worse.

[@cyborgjorge]

I was here in Ushguli last week. There are actually quite a few tourists who pass through all summer. Lots of small restaurants, cafes, and guesthouses around to serve them. And there's a big cell tower that keeps everyone connected to the world year round. So it's not quite as remote as this doc makes out. Many of the surrounding smaller villages are more remote but not as picturesque for videos like this. In any case, it still feels like a place from the past, still feels quite special.

[@IceniBrave]

Pretty sure this documentary is fairly old. Many of the developments shown just starting here are quite well established now.

[@soniarose1983]

Was it a tour? Or did you just go yourself? I’m interested. Thanks from Australia

[@cyborgjorge]

@@soniarose1983 I went myself via motorcycle. If you can't find anything online there are a lot of guesthouses in Mestia who could probably advise about hiring drivers that could take you around to different villages.

[@arbur4746]

the doc is more than a few years old at least, all those things got there relatively recently!

[@edwardodizon4789]

Inside their house alone and some of their clothes they use you can feel that they are living in modernized world.😊

[@tinageiger6560]

Amazing that people still live this way. Such strong people. If more people had to live this way, basic, purposeful, prayerful, faithful, the world would be a better place. God bless them all.

[@angelone8564]

Most of the world still lives pretty much like this. Get out and travel a little and pay attention to what u see..

[@jessicacoates1611]

I 💯 agree, she wants a better life for her 5 children, they will move to a bigger city or country and never feel so alone as when surrounded by people who do not care or care to care to know you

[@lynettemacdonald3957]

I think its wonderful that the outside world has not corrupted this beautiful town. The love respect ,the hard work shows how they love their lives and families and their past ancestors.

[@mansize6622]

@@lynettemacdonald3957 The camera is there now it will corrupt.

[@newgabe09]

Plenty of tourists and other Georgians come there. There's cafes, hotels. It's been connected with the rest of the world for a long time though yes, long cut off winter

[@williammelear2906]

My wifes family is from a small village in Bulgaria on the border of Greece and everyone makes their own rakia or brandy and everyone has the best so I wound of drinking a lot during a festival. What an awesome time with good people! Nazdrave!

[@russianpatriot7045]

Thank you for a beautiful documentary on the Svans, I have visited Tibilisi, Gerogia, in 2017, and I just fell in love with the hospitality of these warm, friendly Georgians. Their traditions, their customs, and their religious beliefs in Orthodox Christianity is very humbling. I wish the Georgians peace, progress and love. IF I could visit Georgia, I would do it over and over again.

[@gg77ge]

Спасибо брат

[@cindyhamblin5673]

The world is a big place, with many different cultures, this one is a surviving one that in their traditions lives on! Thank you for sharing this wonder! 🙏

[@robertbates6057]

What beautiful people they are. The region, the traditions and values are also beautiful. May God grant them both preservation and prosperity.

[@Arbaaz0694]

अगर इंडिया या पाकिस्तान में कोई संप्रदाय इसी तरह से रहता है तो तुम गोरे लोग उसे घृणित दृष्टि से देखते हो,अब क्योंकि ये लोग गोरे हैं तो तुम इनकी तारीफ़ में कसीदे पढ़ रही हो।

[@Beachgirl1]

@@Arbaaz0694 YOU are the racist. You are also Christophobic.

[@itsmeanne]

@@Arbaaz0694 stop being racist and jealous you cry baby.

[@itsmeanne]

😂

[@moitavide6652]

how proud noble and humble can you get ? respect.

[@navdeepgusain3059]

Really surprised how close this resembles to remote mountain villages of my region in India. I come from Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state in India. Here we have these remote villages near the India-Tibet border located at altitude of well over 2000m. In winters, there is heavy snowfall. So many families move downhill but some do stay in the village. Agriculture is limited with primary crops being potato, carrot, pulses etc. Another thing that I found similar is ritual sacrifice. Here too sheeps or goats are sacrificed to goats whenever families movie from downhill to their villages at the start of spring. The meat is shared by all the village. Collective sharing is kind kf a norm and all the families help each other either to procure food or help wach other in difficult times. I guess mountain villages share resemblance all across the world.

[@loisthiessen9134]

what amazing lives!. lived in these isolated Georgian mountains. Thank you for creating this documentary for the public! God bless you!

[@chantelbijeaux6541]

This is a very good way to live and I hope they don't change the old ways ,such a beautiful place

[@mansize6622]

@@chantelbijeaux6541 al gore approval !

[@London97]

Proper wholesome food , living with nature … kudos to them for living the real life

[@jannywalker]

Indeed!

[@mansize6622]

No preservatives in 🧀...oh krafty !

[@Victoria-gq8gt]

Didn't you see the part where they explained they DONT have a proper diet which leads to malnutrition and thyroid disease?!! No, they're l8ving with reduced health and life expectancy.

[@petethundabox5067]

Lacking iodine and causing health problems. The wife want's out and wants to take the kids to the city.

[@mansize6622]

@@petethundabox5067 Hang out with al gore ?

[@crowznest438]

Saying that the wheel hasn't been invented there is just ignorant. Dragging a sled works much, much better on those hillsides, with more control of the load going downhill and is not much more difficult going uphill. Work sleds are safer for the animals hauling them and for the people as well. Wheels are expensive and require more maintenance and a specialized wheelwright to make them.

[@drazzle6267]

Makes absolute sense.

[@createa.googleaccount713]

Yes! Thank you

[@suzz1776]

Seems like a tough but happy and fulfilling life. I am rather envious.

[@SLICEDocumentary]

I bet many of us city dwellers feel just like you do.

[@user-io7kz4kv3z]

These people have the Right idea ! The World in general could learn a Lot from them . Beautiful people, Beautiful Life !

[@KAAnn-uc8nn]

When I first started watching, I thought where do they get their wood?? Makes me think of Easter Island - they better start planting trees!

[@katanaki3059]

My thought too.

[@PalmBeachFlorida24]

That requires work. These men can't fix a gate or tie a rope properly. They are misbehaving. Planting a tree - they'd have the woman do that.

[@shirleyfrancis4515]

They've continue to strip the mountainside. They've already obliterated one species of trees

[@ddz1375]

​@@shirleyfrancis4515strip mining put the phone in your hand that you complain on. These people have lived like this for centuries and have made less impact on the land.

[@shirleyfrancis4515]

@@ddz1375 less impact is still impact.

[@DerekCFPegritz]

I was really impressed that education was so highly regarded in such an isolated, traditionalist village.

[@TheOctubre12]

I just saw this documentary from Georgia, and was interested because first time at my work I have a co-worker from there, he told me, he’s going to finish uní here and cam back to Georgia. Beautiful tradition and people. 🇨🇦🇦🇷

[@THORMYN1]

I really needed this after everything that’s going on nowadays. So much hate in the world, crime, wars, decline of morals and people struggling for survival. There are communities like these around the world who survive by working hard and being happy with what they have. I’m all for progress and an optimistic future for mankind and I truly couldn’t survive in a place like that but kudos for these strong people and I hope that some relief is coming to them soon which fortunately or unfortunately will also mean that their way of life will change!

[@DRUM19]

In many ways this is a wonderful way of life but also harsh and hard.

[@qcfsbo5188]

What a remarkable people! What is so evident in this community is that the strong traditions they have and the strong sense of community is what gives them a strength far greater than what is seen in more modern communities in the West. I pray that they will never allow modernization destroy what they have built over the course of over a thousand years. God bless them.

[@faze4hit]

Love this culture, community and hard work. more rewarding lifestyle than a western grind into oblivion. "in winter when all the work is done I sit by the fire and eat and drink." love it.

[@charleswebster2550]

I wonder if the women still have to take care of all the animals, children, cooking, baking, laundry & household while he sits by the fire eating & drinking.

[@Windigo-OAK]

​@@charleswebster2550yep, that's how it's usually done 😢

[@edwright480]

@@Windigo-OAK Typical.

[@mansize6622]

@@faze4hit You love everything.

[@patricianairn7474]

I'm surprised they don't dry the cow dung to supplement the wood from the rapidly disappearing trees, as well as plant replacement trees.

[@mansize6622]

@@patricianairn7474 Global warming.

[@Susan-h9z]

Solar panels to charge generators, saws, drills, etc., while in mountains

[@arvydas0069]

They still use scythes

[@christinehede7578]

@@mansize6622more trees would grow if it were getting warmer.

[@mansize6622]

@@christinehede7578 Hot sun burns saplings before they grow into trees.

[@Eileen-bh1zt]

They all help each other this is how everyone should be living simple lives are better the children are learning what is important and family is first. Looks like winters must be very cold God bless them. Looks beautiful there

[@janetbrowning9089]

Thank you so much for this video & a peek into the lives of Svans...I had heard of them, but didn't know anything much about their lifestyles & such...I so appreciate learning about them & would so love to see more videos from these families...Blessings to all these families & to you for bringing these videos to share here.

[@edwardenglishonline]

Liked & subscribed (there's nothing simple about leading a simple life; it probably isn't easy at all, yet I feel intensely happy after having watched this documentary and the svans' deeply rooted MEANING of their apparently simple lives: It makes everyone wish everybody else in the world hope for a better future -amen).

[@Suntan38]

I love this!!! Such rich history and ppl with amazing work ethics and morals.

[@luimackjohnson302]

Amazingly Magnificent! Thank you for sharing this video. To live free & in harmony with nature. A little Green Technology will assist in lighting, heating, cooking, power grid for basic white goods to enhance their way of life & preserve their limited trees. I will write it on my bucket list to visit such a beautiful & with majestic mountains in that place a great contrast with its 4 seasons compared to our place. May The Almighty God Bless these humble, peaceful, hard working & industrious people. I can relate to the hard work & reliance of these people when I see our people of Kambaramba villages in Keram, Sepik River and our people in Nubia in Madang Province. Greetings from Papua New Guinea.

[@pallavis6906]

I remember watching a movie called Svani around 17 years ago. Wow who would have thought I would stumble upon a real life documentary on them.

[@kerimaabu1359]

What a wonderful documentary, thank you so much.

[@saintjacques8137]

Thank you for this video. Not sure it's the right niche but if anyone's radically obsessed with ultra-in-depth Medieval Georgian warfare I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt's videos series. Keep up with the amazing work! Love, Jacques

[@curiuosgirl3243]

What a beautiful life and amazing, resourceful people! Your children are blessed.

[@carolanngelderbloem3209]

What a lovely documentary... old traditions cultures...love drinking alcohol left for the dead. I did however saw a half bottle of Coca-Cola at one of the graves?? Who drank half off the Coca-Cola?? It was time well spent to watch this documentary . God bless the citizens of this remote village

[@marywalker2896]

Beautiful life beautiful traditions..so much love….i love it…

[@brendalazoaquino4102]

Slice eres lo maximo, gracias por el documental

[@JamesMPogue]

This is an example of a people that survive the trial and joys of living in our world, no different from all people's even in civilized/more technology oriented locales. How would the more technology people in America make do, if they had to exist, in this environment. I think many would not make it, they are too selfish/self-centered. They think they are entitled.

[@SeptemberApril-io1hi]

God bless these amazing and wonderful people.

[@erinfuller9874]

Life is beautiful there. You have everything you need and best of all family and loyal people around you. The fast paced way of life these days is full of so much decay. I live in the united states and drugs, violence, murder, depression,sex is everywhere and more than ever the younger generation is so disrespectful and selfish. A lot of people have no loyalty to anyone except for money. You really have a wonderful thing there. I would love to live in a strong, loving, loyal, Godly village such as yours. God bless all of you. I hope the best for your families and your way of life. Peace and Love 💕💕

[@damienpepper2254]

Really enjoyed this. Lovely place and people.

[@MaBharatvarsh]

What an amazing video. I wish I visit the savns.

[@annieyoung7998]

The narrator does not sound fake!! Well done.

[@alicassidy8913]

I hear this voice all over YT.. I thought it was AI generated

[@shayleenjoubert2008]

Thank YOU❤. So INTERESTING #enthralling

[@jessicacoates1611]

Someone please tell this women this is the BETTER LIFE, she has everything she needs

[@mariehillard1742]

Fascinating!

[@2000naidster]

What a beautiful place 😍 I would love to visit there one day.

[@SLICEDocumentary]

Big up for Svaneti and Georgia 🇬🇪🇬🇪 !! Any Georgians in here ??

[@gary5717]

Gosh, what a story. I wish them well.👍👍

[@jamielynngearheart9969]

Amazing! ❤

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Wow. Very wholesome and impressive.

[@user-mb3ug8ti8q]

We're (the main antagonists if you will of environmental damage) all wondering how to combat climate change. Then there's these people who understand not only the relationship with the earth but the value and proper use of resources

[@BrentColflesh]

They deforested the entire area.

[@howlinwulf]

​@@BrentColfleshsome but that is all. Self sufficient. You can walk a bit farther for wood. But it's a much better life than most. People are corrupt and greedy. Keeping up with the jones isn't easy. Go explain how much rent is in Atlanta, phoenix or new York new jersey hell anywhere. They could live for years off of 1 months rent.

[@bedardpelchat]

I took a great course at university by Kevin Tuite about the different ethnic groups in the Caucasus, their traditions and languages. This documentary is quite good in showing most aspects if not all of the life in those harsh regions. No wonder why there are more than 50 languages in that area of the world, people being surrounded by high terrains that they wouldn't dare crossing for no reasons, hence the richness of local cultures. All this like elsewhere is gradually being lost. A least the Svans seem to hold on for another while.

[@sgmgl]

Proud and amazing people!

[@SLICEDocumentary]

A hard but worthy life !

[@BoatsBothaBotha-v6r]

Lovely ...nuts about it !!

[@SirrahSunday]

Such beautiful people

[@Bgo909]

I cud definitely see myself here in a small quaint cabin in the winter..

[@dylandenmore]

I liked and subscribed! I hope that someday I can visit the place!

[@Free2BHuman]

These folk's are to be admired & respected🤔ppl of western society go about daily affairs unaware that their capitalism system is at war with their humanity at war theirs humanism

[@daliaddumagan]

Good people and honest people

[@Noneyurbusiness]

I love their culture

[@monique6549]

Admirable people.

[@ilovemesomechickenbutimave7052]

Good now I know what to bring as gifts when visiting flavored schnapps and clothing sweet treats and firewood, and vitamins

[@KC-603]

Beautiful country!!

[@suecollins8199]

I hope they are planting more trees!!😮

[@soniarose1983]

Birch trees grow as quick as you can blink. I’ve got some in my yard and they’re terrible!

[@drmshyamala]

Please let them be the way they are.. God bless!!

[@FrankLowe1949]

The drinking goes everywhere .😂

[@bashirxaaji1119]

Ilahoow wadada xaqa ah ku hanuuni 🌺🤲🌹

[@valleybliss]

This colour is so beautiful on you!

[@Jay-kc1ql]

Wow! That kid had impeccable handwriting.

[@transformativeexperiences]

I can spot from the first minute why they will soon have to leave. Cutting down all trees.. I can see the barron land due to the cutting and the cattle. They got plenty of water to reforest the barren land and live in total abundance! Also the mountain areas are known to be iodome deficent. They all need iodine which can be be made from raw walnuts. Walnut trees can grow very high altitude and also in quite dry places. Other than that.. Idoine from fish and liquid iodine is of course possible to buy

[@chrisdaldy-rowe4978]

Interesting.

[@lianefehrle9921]

I would love to own a stove like hers. My grandmother in Germany had an electric stove and a wood stove. She would cook on that wood stove more than on the electric one. The only time she would cook on the electric was to start the boiling of water for the potatoes and making home made noodles.

[@mansize6622]

Love to have a stove ?

[@waitingforpayday277]

These people are so innocent. Completely untouched by the world.

[@ninajones1175]

Thanks for being the real deal. I have I subbed from all channels using AI voice because the mispronunciation of so many words drove me nuts when watching. Appreciate your professionalism.

[@Gambit771]

He is a yank so he naturally mispronounces so many words.

[@anthonybritti27]

Are these people "traditional?" Or simply impoverished?

[@GensSancta]

It looks nice...from this side of the camera.

[@SLICEDocumentary]

How long do you think you can stand living in Svaneti? 🤔🏔️

[@omw2fub559]

The School is beautiful

[@happyvedra]

Its good that they stay there. Less hassle

[@loril.mangold8160]

Maybe the could redesign their Heating, by making a Rocket Mass Heater, they use Less wood and the heat lasts longer

[@a12zN]

Electricity is often cut off. Ha! Seems like my village.

[@christinehede7578]

Iodised salt would help with the thyroid issues in the area.

[@howlinwulf]

I want to live there!

[@jayc3614]

Me too did my dna on ancestry and though i was born in jamaica it seems a diatant relative shares links to the caucuses. Tjough the dna results change from time to time

[@cherienafo7676]

Australia/ A great shame, that with tourist money, this wonderful culture and peoples will change.

[@SusanRaickle]

I love how the little boy has a Von Dutch hat!!! ♡♡♡

[@edwright480]

And their water in a Coke bottle? The world has reached them already.

[@mansize6622]

You love everything.

[@alicassidy8913]

​@@edwright480They have jeans on

[@2coryman]

❤❤

[@freewillfarms2059]

Some needs to teach them responsible Forest management practices. Planting new trees for the next generations will ensure they stay in that region.

[@meruthie]

Its only me or you also had the impression that the wife called Nani is really unhappy w her life in this village? she mentions many times she wants to take the kids and go out of that place for a better life 😢

[@SLICEDocumentary]

When we city dwellers see places like Svanetti, we often idealize them, enchanted by their stark contrast to our daily urban surroundings. However, it's important to remember that the Svans face their own struggles. While their lifestyle may appear simple, it is anything but easy !

[@kristofferehrnstromlundkvi3928]

Wow btw

[@supenole]

their guilted into staying by the spirits of the dead.brilliant marketing by their forefathers.

[@joviemaco1888]

She definitely needs onlyfans account and access to all of the blessings of the western culture.

[@nerdytube5351]

As someone who has always wished to escape 21st Century civilization, I envy these people.

[@greyjay9202]

The slaughtering of the ox for ritual purposes troubles me. In all other respects, I admire the life these people are living. May they always be able to hold at bay the more troublesome aspects of "progress."

[@suzannehaigh4281]

Could not some help be found from the Facebook appeals for the hospital? I would gladly give.

[@WreckerGirl-ec2sc]

Your life is amazing, it’s not as great out here as u imagine

[@returnofthenative]

They will very much regret letting the outside world in. This saddened me to be honest. The German architect airport tower inspired by.......is hideous, a scar on the landscape that perfectly illustrates the story that these people will now have to endure.

[@jonathanhindson4580]

Would love to have seen some winter too. Helicopter?

[@barbjam2219]

I respect the people and their chosen way of life, but speakiing personally I would absolutely NOT want to live it. I love the convenience of modern life, the ability to learn new things, to change and to adapt. Traditional ways of doing things are romanticized by those who don't have to live it. Women and girls work very hard, bear lots of children and dont have much say in anything. The children are beautiful, and their teacher admits they are bright, but with not much propects they will just be going back to that "wheel-less" ox drawn sled existence. You can hear almost a plaintive cry from one mother hoping for a better life for her children. The young lady going away to study law, may or may not go back, but if she does change will come faster. Educated women change things.

[@user-dr7hq5dg4q]

So not to use all the tress one cut tree 4-5 tress should be planted

[@kyleesteban467]

I can see that the doctor of this town/village is this The History in the making of this town/village. May the Rose Blossom Upon Your Cross. A Rosicrucian Blessings.

[@ScarlettRose7221]

For those wondering: Documentary: The Svans - Between Tradition and Modern World (2011) Direction: Andreas Lünser Production: Spiegel TV

[@stelz750]

SLICE, do you guys have job/career opportunities? All these different ways of life really intrigue me. I'm most interested in traveling and discovering/immersing in different cultures and more simple ways of life. I do well connecting with people. Would appreciate your response/advice.

[@favoriteswubby]

Does a barber live in the neighborhood? Everyone's hair looks so neat.

[@soniarose1983]

The doctor should just “prescribe” and give the families iodised salt for the families to salt their meats with. . ?

[@heekyungkim8147]

Their way of life seems real and noble. Even though it’s hard work…