Abstract/Absurd

The belief that such a symbol brings good luck and drives away evil spirits is so much ingrained in the psyche of the common populace in Bhutan that the symbols are routinely painted outside walls of the new houses and even painted on number plates of trucks. The carved wooden phalluses are hung (sometimes crossed by a design of sword or dagger) outside, on the eves of the new homes, at the four corners. The wooden phalluses are also driven in the agricultural fields as a kind of scarecrow, when the crops start sprouting. The Atsaras (masked clowns) also decorate their headgear with phallus painted cloth, during the popular Tsechu festival held every year in different monasteries throughout Bhutan. These clowns also dance with their holy whips and wooden phalluses. On a road drive from Paro airport to Thimpu these explicit paintings of phalluses are a common sight on “white-washed walls of homes, shops and eateries.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_paintings_in_Bhutan

Historically, Zugdidi was a capital of the Principality of Mingrelia (Odishi) until 1867, when the principality was abolished by the Russian Empire. Nowadays it is the capital of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, which combines Samegrelo (Mingrelia) and upper part of Svaneti, and the center of the Zugdidi Municipality within. The city is located 318 kilometers west of Tbilisi, 30 km from the Black Sea coast and 30 km from the Egrisi Range. Zugdidi that time has been hosting and still hosts many refugees. The city has played a significant role in providing shelter and support to those who have been displaced from their homes due to conflicts and wars. Between 1991 and 1993, about 80,000 ethnic Georgians were displaced from the Gali district of Abkhazia, and about 52,000 were displaced from Sukhumi.As of 2023, nearly 300,000 persons remained internally displaced in Georgia, with 30-40% of them living in the Samegrelo region adjacent to Abkhazia. Zugdidi is the gateway to Svaneti, one of the most beautiful and mountainous regions of Georgia. The road between Zugdidi and Mestia, is known as the Svaneti Highway and offers a scenic journey through the beautiful mountains of the Greater Caucasus. As travelling on budget, we could reach the Svaneti main city by minibus via an arduous and dangerous 5-6 hour journey.

Belas Knap is a particularly fine example of a Neolithic long barrow, with a false entrance and side chambers. Excavated in 1863 and 1865, the remains of 31 people were found in the chambers. It was probably constructed around 3000 BC and was used for successive burials over a period of years until eventually the burial chambers were deliberately blocked. Although Belas Knap seems in good condition, this is the result of several restorations. Romano-British pottery found inside one of the burial chambers show that it was open in Roman times. It was explored between 1863 and 1865 using the archaeological methods of the time, and some years later was restored by Mrs Emma Dent of Sudeley. In 1928–30 the site was excavated again, before being restored as we see it today. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belas-knap-long-barrow