Mzevinar Liparteliani

In the village of Tsana, nestled in one of the picturesque valleys of Kvemo Svaneti, resides Mzevinar Liparteliani, a master of the ancient Svanuri traditional craft—the Svanuri hat. The Svanuri hat is more than just a simple headdress; it symbolizes courage, conscience, loyalty, piety, and strength of a Svani man. In ancient times, the Svan hat held great significance: if a man committed an unacceptable act, it would be proclaimed that he let his hat fall on the ground, as a sign of shame; conversely, a golden hat would be bestowed upon those who performed notable deeds. Thus, the Svan hat carries a profound symbolic weight in the consciousness of a Svan man, and as such, it is forbidden for women to wear it.

Today, traditional handicrafts like hat-making have waned in popularity among the younger generation, leaving only few families, as masters of this time-honored craft. However, in the past, every woman knew how to make a Svanuri hat—it was a necessary skill. Mzevinar belongs to the minority who learned the craft from her mother in childhood and has preserved it to this day.

During the Soviet era, there was a production facility in Lentekhi where local women crafted Svanuri hats using local wool. Mzevinar learned the craft from a young age, helping her mother with every step from wool picking to final sewing. Despite pursuing different activities for many years, economic hardship prompted her to revisit his ancestral craft. Realizing that she was one of the few remaining bearers of this ancient tradition, Mzevinar decided to continue the legacy of the Svanuri hat.

The secret to crafting a quality Svanuri hat lies in its tightness—when filled with water, it should hold it while vodka pass through a hat easily. Traditionally, the hat is gray in color, achieved by blending white and gray wool. For children, a white hat is made. Today, Mzevinar must source materials from outside the region, as sheep are no longer kept locally. Despite the challenges, he manages to produce an average of two hats per day.

Hats can be ordered directly from Mzevinar, who will deliver them to your location. Alternatively, visitors can personally witness the meticulous and time-consuming process of crafting these remarkable hats by visiting him in Tsana.