Georgian Easter, Part 3: Visiting the Dead

Rustavi, Georgia. Cemetery. Day after Easter. 

The day after Easter, Georgians visited their dead in cemeteries across the country.

Nely and her family were no exception. Kate and I had the privilege of joining the family on this day.

Rustavi's cemetery is massive. It sits atop a bluff that looks over a river valley, over Rustavi, and over an Azeri-Georgian village. The cemetery includes, in their own sectors, the Christian and Muslim dead.

Rustavi, Georgia. Cemetery. Day after Easter. 

Nely said that on this day, Rustavi would be empty. Indeed, the traffic jam that snarled the road to the cemetery was impressive. It was also very sunny and hot.

Rustavi, Georgia. Cemetery. Day after Easter. 

Traditionally, Geogians bring a supra with them to the graves. It's becoming more common, however, to simplify a bit and bring only wine, the Easter cake (pascal cake, which is similar to a spice cake), and the Easter red eggs. Georgians spill wine on the graves in the sign of the cross. They lay red eggs (and sometimes chocolate) on the graves. Flowers, too.

Rustavi, Georgia. Cemetery. Day after Easter. 

After the visitants leave, the poor come and collect the food on the graves.