THE LINE OF SOLOMON THE WISE IN THE FOLKLORE OF THE LIAKHVI GORGE

Abstract

It is reasonable to suggest that this represents a distinct branch within the broader spectrum of Georgian oral tradition. The figure of Solomon the Wise has long been a focal point of scholarly interest in the study of Georgian folk narratives, and the folklore of the Liakhvi Gorge is no exception.

In Georgian folk tales, Solomon the Wise frequently appears both as a central and a supporting figure, yet his role remains largely unchanged. People seek him out for counsel or assistance, viewing him as the ultimate arbiter of wisdom. Notably, Solomon’s guidance is not always imparted selflessly—his wisdom often comes at a price.

It is important to highlight that these narratives were transcribed by Aleksandre Machabeli in the latter half of the 19th century. Scholars argue that, since the systematic documentation of such texts largely commenced during this period, many of the societal depictions found within them reflect the realities of urban and rural life of that era. While these tales convey the existential dilemmas of the time, they also preserve vestiges of an archaic worldview, seamlessly interwoven with the emerging social ideologies of the modern age.

Key words: Liakhvi Gorge, folklore, the face of Solomon the Wise, Aleksandre Machabeli, Georgian fairy tale, "Akaki's Monthly Collection".