Ali

Ali, a character from Georgian folklore, rules over the realm of animals, woods, and water in the Georgian pagan pantheon.

In people’s imagination, Ali is a beautiful woman with long hair or vice versa, an ugly, fearful being with copper teeth and iron knuckles and hair covered in blood. She harms the woman who has just given birth, newborn children and horses. She lives in the forest, in deserted places, predominantly at the bank of water and river; she combs her hair with a golden comb, deceives men, and harms fishermen. She can be tamed by cutting hair and nails or stealing a comb. She stays in the family unless she finds her belongings. Then she destroys the man’s house and runs away. She has the ability to turn into a werewolf. Ali is perceived to be an evil soul. For protection from her, a special prayer, “Alis Shelotsva” (“A Prayer against Ali”) was pronounced. People would also call on St. George for help. Ali was drawn away with fire and needle. In different regions of Georgia, she was called “Tsqlis Deda” (“Mother of Water”), Tqis Angelozi” (“Angel of a Forest), “Nadirta Mtsqemsi” (Shepherd of Animals) (see Dali).

Literature: ვირსალაძე ე., ქართული სამონადირეო ეპოსი, თბ.,1964; ჩიქოვანი მ., ქართული ეპოსი, წგ. 1, თბ., 1959, გვ. 113; ჩლაიძე ლ., ქართულ-აღმოსავლური დემონოლოგიური ურთიერთობიდან, «მაცნე». ისტ., არქეოლ., ეთნოგრ. და ხელოვნ. ისტორიის სერია, 1975, № 1.

M. Chachava