Keo
Imeda Likokeli
Serious, wise, and exceptionally well-read, Imeda was born in a small settlement called Keo in the high hills of Khevsureti’s Likokeli Valley, which bears his surname. Today a local spiritual leader (khevisberi¹), Imeda tends to his cows and land by the house his grandfather built, and lives on the opposite side of the ravine with his wife and two young children. He remembers old texts that his forefathers sang at the mountain shrines, and sings with a panduri² that he built himself.
¹ A valley elder in the northeastern highlands of Georgia. This term historically referred to a local elected leader, responsible for the political and military life of his community. In contrast, a dekanozi was the chosen head priest in charge of the shrines and spiritual life of his highland community. By the 19th century, as the dekanozi began taking on the responsibilities of the khevisberi the two titles merged into one. Today this leader is responsible for tending to the local mountain shrines. In Khevi, Mtiuleti and Tusheti he is referred to as a dekanozi, whereas Pshavs and Khevsurs use the term khevisberi.
² A three-stringed, fretted lute common in all regions of northeastern Georgia. The instrument is most frequently used to accompany ballad singing. Read more about the panduri here.
Imeda Likokeli