History:
Tskhenburti is an ancient Georgian equestrian game, historically favored as a form of entertainment and competition. Originating in Georgia, it involved horsemen demonstrating their skills in both horsemanship and racket handling. The game is traditionally played outdoors on grass-covered fields, often during secular and religious holidays. It fosters intergenerational relationships, supports healthy lifestyles, and promotes social integration and community bonding.
Rules:
Tskhenburti is played between two teams of six players, each dressed in traditional Akhalukhi attire. During the game, wooden rackets and a rubber ball are used. The objective is to throw the ball into the opponent’s goal, known as the "maka." Players can move freely and use their rackets to hit, catch, pass, and transfer the ball, but must not hit the rider or horse with the racket. The game is divided into two halves, each lasting 10-15 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes. At the referee's whistle, teams, led by their captains, enter the playground and greet each other. The ball, traditionally made of felt, has a circumference of 45 cm and is painted white. Rackets are made from materials like walnut wood, with an oval-shaped hitting area and a net made of rolled rope or leather. The team that scores the most goals wins the game.
