Tusheti is a hard to reach mountainous region in North Eastern Georgia, bordered by Russia's Chechnya and Dagestan.
Ensemble Keselo took his name after ancient fortress in Tusheti. The band members reside in Kvemo Alvani and Zemo Alvani villages in Alazani valley. Most of the Tushetians live there nowadays and visit their native land only in summer.
Harshness of Tusheti conditions is best described by the line "where the spring begins in June". Meanwhile, this is a land of great beauty and strong traditions.
Being a subgroup of Georgians, Tushetians are themselves subdivided in 3 parts: Chagma (Chaghma), Pirikiteli and Tsova (also known as Batsbi).
There have been many folk poets among Tushetians, so some folk songs may have very similar or the same melody with different lyrics, while the opposite is also possible.
4 Keselo members performing on this album are Chagma, and ensemble manager Revaz Orbetishvili is Tsova Tushetian.
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