Kartvelebi

Kartvelebi, or Georgians, are an ethnolinguistic group native to the South Caucasus, primarily in the modern state of Georgia. In Georgian, the term for a Georgian person is kartveli, and kartvelebi is the plural form used to denote the group as a whole. They are united by language, cultural traditions, and a common historical experience, and identify with the Georgian nation.

Linguistically, Kartvelebi belong to the Kartvelian (South Caucasian) language family. The family comprises several languages, with Georgian (Kartuli) as the most widespread, and regional languages such as Mingrelian (Samegrelo), Svan, and Laz. While Georgian is the national language and literary standard of Georgia, Mingrelian and Svan are spoken in western and highland regions, and Laz is spoken primarily in parts of Turkey and Georgia.

Historically, the ancestors of Kartvelebi included the ancient kingdoms of Colchis in western Georgia and Iberia (Karthli) in the east. The Christianization of Iberia in the early centuries CE and the subsequent medieval Georgian state under the Bagrationi dynasty are notable milestones. Georgia experienced a Golden Age in the 11th to 13th centuries, followed by periods of foreign domination and eventual incorporation into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The Democratic Republic of Georgia existed briefly in 1918–1921, after which Georgia became part of the Soviet Union until regaining independence in 1991.

Today, the majority of Kartvelebi reside in Georgia, with smaller communities in neighboring countries and in the Georgian diaspora. They share a common national identity and cultural traditions, including the unique Georgian alphabet, polyphonic singing, and distinctive crafts. Regional subgroups include Georgians proper (Kartveli), Mingrelians, and Svans, among others.