INSTITUTION THE HEAD OF GREAT FAMILY ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMARY LAW OF GEORGIA

Abstract

The present article discusses an institute of the head of a large family according to the customary law of Georgia. It has been certifi ed by a number of researchers that the Patriarchal Family Community, similar to a large family, has existed in Georgia until the beginning of the XX century together with a small individual family. In families like these several generations of close relatives were united. The main characteristic of this union was common ownership of the property and collective work for the family. One of the basic family rules was that of keeping subordination. Different kinds of functions of family members were measured by their sex, age and skills. Great attention was paid to abilities of the family members. Family was governed by the patriarch – the oldest man in a family. Before making important decisions, the head discussed certain issues with all of the other full-aged male family members in order to obtain their impartial opinions and perspectives. In different regions of Georgia – either in communities or in villages – the head of a large family, both in the family and in public sphere, used to apply customs law and traditions of the ancestors of his region.