The WAC launched a series of lectures on the history, culture and ethnology of the Abkhazians. The first lecture was held on February 24 and was dedicated to the traditional etiquette of Abkhazian women. The lecturer was a member of the Supreme Council of the WAC, the famous Abkhazian ethnologist Marina Bartsyts.

During the lecture, Marina Bartsyts talked about what traditional female etiquette is, how Abkhazian women behaved in the past, what role was assigned to a woman in the traditional culture of Abkhazians, and how values ​​that have developed over millennia are changing in the modern world.

The ethnologist also spoke about the role of women in the military Caucasian culture, noting that women in the Caucasus have always had a special status.

"There has always been respect for a woman, and military culture implies chivalry and special rights for women," she said.

Marina Bartsyts believes that it is very important to study ethics and etiquette, since they well regulate the norms of behavior and communication of people. In particular, they provide a correct understanding of family values.

"In the traditional life support system, neither woman nor man could survive separately from each other. A widowed woman remained with her brothers, who were obliged to support her or married her off. A man-widower could not raise children without a woman: either his sister had to stay in the house to look after his children, or he had to marry again. Otherwise he would not have had time to build and plow and at the same time babysit the children, wash clothes, cook food or bring water," said the lecturer.

Speaking about the present, she noted that today the Abkhazian society is faced with the problem of "alienation from its own history and culture."

"There is a lot we don’t know, but life is changing, and there is a gap in the transmission of culture.  We have serious problems with the transmission of our culture: children do not grow up in this system, but this system should surround us," Marina Bartsyts complained.

She believes that today, when this knowledge is hardly passed on in families, it must be shared at school.

After the lecture, the audience shared their impressions.

Aza Gumba, a member of the Women's Council of the WAC, called the lecture very interesting.  She drew attention to the fact that the audience had many questions, and most importantly - a desire to understand more deeply the traditional etiquette of Abkhazian women.

"I would like to develop these topics, to hear more details. I would like to know how it was before, and how everything has changed. The information received should be deeply rethought. It is easy to accept new traditions, but it is imperative to know the history of your ancestors, to instill in children," Aza Gumba shared.

The founder of the "Kiaraz" charitable organization, Kama Gopia, believes that lectures on such topics are especially useful for the younger generation, because they allow to go deeper into history and understand what traditions and norms of family relationships existed.

"I would like to preserve these traditions and pass them on to the next generation. Who, if not the older generation, will tell us everything correctly?!" added Kamma Gopia.

A young girl, Shazina Zhiba, came to listen to the lecture. In her opinion, Abkhazia lacks platforms for such lectures and discussions.

"I liked the topic related to family relationships after marriage, parenting, the behavior of women and men in society. I urge the girls to watch this lecture on social networks: I am sure they will be just as interested. I am going to continue attending such lectures. I also express my gratitude to the organizers for this opportunity," said the listener.

Other lectures are planned within the cycle as well, anyone can attend them. Detailed information about the next lecture will be posted on social networks of the World Abaza Congress.