Tamada

A tamada is the toastmaster at a Georgian "Supra" or feast.

At all supras regardless of size, there is a tamada (or toastmaster), one person who introduces each toast. Georgians like to say that the tamada is dictator of the table, but it would be more appropriate to compare him to a leader or even a teacher. Tamada ought to be eloquent, intelligent, smart, sharp−witted and quick−thinking, with a good sense of humor because very often some of the guests might try to compete with him on the toast making. At the Georgian table a tamada bridges the gap between past, present and then the future. It seems that not only the guests, but their ancestors and descendents are invisibly present at the table. A tamada toasts them with the same love and devotion as the other members of the table. When drinking some toasts all men have to stand up and drink wine in silence. A toast can be proposed only by a tamada and the rest are to develop the idea. Everybody tries to say something more original and emotional than the previous speaker. The whole process grows into a sort of oratory contest.

Historically the tamada had more control over the table than today, which might explain why people report him to be more dictatorial than he ever is at urban supras. For example, members of the supra were supposed to ask permission before leaving the table and the party. If they got the permission they could be toasted by the tamada and other members before leaving. If the first toast is to the tamada, it is proposed by someone else, generally by the host, who proposes the nomination of the tamada.

Choosing a tamada

If the supra is very small, in someone's home with only a few guests, the tamada won't be chosen, but the head of the house will simply assume the role of tamada.

At very large occasions, such as wedding or funeral banquets, the tamada is chosen in advance by the family. They as a relative or friend who is known to be a good tamada, to lead the supra. At occasions between these two, however, the people of the table themselves choose the tamada.

The choice depends on many factors. There may be a senior person at the table to whom the role naturally falls. In some groups there will be one man who regularly is the tamada because he enjoys it and is good at it. Sometimes groups of friends who gather frequently more or less rotate the responsibility of being tamada. In many cases when it comes time to choose, one person, often the oldest member of the table, will propose a candidate far tamada by saying something like, “Kote should be our tamada, shouldn't he?”. Others express agreement and, if Kote raises no serious objections, the person who first suggested Kote, then raises his glass and process the first toast to the tamada – “Kotes gaumarjos” (to Kote). The supra participates do the same. The newly toasted tamada initiates new toast from them on.

It might be the case, however, that Kote doesn't want to be tamada. Perhaps he feels that the senior person is suggesting his name ought to be the tamada. Maybe he was tamada last night and has a hangover, or is driving and can't drink, or would like to leave the gathering early, or just doesn't like to be tamada. He would refuse the job, perhaps pleasing some excuse. Then the people at the table propose someone else as tamada, who may be willing to take up tamada−hood and may not be, and so on, until someone at the table agrees to be tamada, and first is drunk to him.

If the tamada was chose in advance by the family, the senior member of the family would initiate the drinking by proposing the first toast to the tamada directly, without any preceding discussion. Following the proposal of this first toast, each member of the supra toast the tamada with a fixed phrase or two and drinks his glass. On this toast people drink quite quickly, almost in unison, and without any verbal elaboration on the theme of the toast. Some frequently heard phrases on this first toast “Kotes gaumarjos” (to Kote) where Kote is the name of the person who will be tamada “kargad chaatarebinos es supra” (may he lead this supra well”, or “may he cause us to have a good time”).

There is only one common circumstance where the first toast is not to the tamada and thatconcerns (usually small, less formal) supras where the host is tamada. In that case, the host simply assumes the role, as noted above, and proposes the first toast to a particular theme (discussed below).

Qualities of a good tamada

A good tamada has a number of special qualities, First of all, a good tamada is one who isgood with words, who speaks clearly and cleverly, who can say in an original way things which are heard over and over again at every supra. The best tamadas are extemporaneously poets.

Secondly, a good tamada must be able to organize well, as the fate of the party is in his hands. He has to decide which toasts to drink when and how often to propose new toasts, so a good rhythm is established. He has to orchestrate singing or dancing, if there is such, between stretches of toasting, so people stay attentive and entertained. This relates closely to a third quality of a good tamada, sensitivity. The tamada should have a good feel for the mood of the table and try to maintain a pleasant upbeat atmosphere in which all members are participating. The table should have a kind of unity, said one Georgian, which is the responsibility of the tamada. He should notice if certain members begin to pay less attention and draw them back, perhaps which a special toast or by making them “alaverdi”.

He should sense if people have drunk too much and allow down pace of new toast or if people are not drinking enough and speed up the pace. In general the pace of toasting is faster earlier in the evening and slows down once everyone reaches a certain level of inebriety. There is a special moment at the supra, after people have started drinking but before they are very drunk, when they feel less inhibited and are particularly susceptible to appeal to emotions. The tamada should recognize when this state has been achieved and propose more abstract toasts. If the tamada knows the people at the supra well, he will be able to excite and inspire them with the toasts he proposes (particularly at this time), thus encouraging the good feeling and leading the others to greater eloquence.

Fourthly, a good tamada has to be somewhat forceful in order to get people to pay attention to the toasting and to get everyone to drink each toast. This gets harder as the evening wears on and some people would rather talk than toast. Last, but not at all least, a good tamada must also be good drinker; the tamada is expected to empty his glass on each toast “bottom up”. But may not get drunk, which is absolutely, universally disgraceful.

The tamada has to propose a toast to every person at the Georgian table and so have the others. Every speaker tries to distinguish the most interesting, original and praiseworthy features of a person toasted. But it should not be considered to be flattery. These are lessons of love and humanism. This tradition ennobles a person. When a person is told that he is kind and honest he will find it difficult to do evil. When he is told he is generous he will try not to be greedy. When he is told he is handsome and beautiful, there is less probability of developing the inferiority complex.

References

*Igor de Garine, Valerie de Garine (2001), "Drinking: Anthropological Approaches". Berghahn Books, ISBN 1571813152.
*Darra Goldstein (1999), "The Georgian Feast: The Vibrant Culture and Savory Food of the Republic of Georgia". University of California Press, ISBN 0520219295.

External links

* [http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai104_folder/104_articles/104_toastmaster.html "The Art of Toasting: The Toastmaster's Unwritten Rule Book"] by Jala Garibova. Azerbaijan International, Vol 10:4 (Winter 2002) at AZER.com.
* [http://www.ndoba.com/index.php/Georgian-Tamada.html "Georgian Tamada culture"]