KHEVSURS, a people of the Caucasus, kinsfolk of the Geor gians. They live in scattered groups in East Georgia to the north and north-west of Mount Borbalo. Their name is Georgian and means "People of the Valleys." For the most part nomadic, they are still in a semi-barbarous state. In complexion and colour of hair and eyes they vary greatly. They are fond of fighting, and still wear armour of the true mediaeval type, when the law of vendetta, which is sacred among them as among most Cau casian peoples, compels them to seek or avoid their enemy.
Many curious customs still prevail among the Khevsurs, as for instance the imprisonment of the woman during childbirth in a lonely hut, round which the husband parades, firing off his musket at intervals. After delivery, food is surreptitiously brought the mother, who is kept in her prison a month, after which the hut is burnt. The boys are usually named after some wild animal,
e.g., bear or wolf, while the girls' names are romantic, such as Daughter of the Sun, Sun of my Heart. Children are betrothed by parents. Divorce is common, and some Khevsurs are polyg amous. Formerly no Khevsur might die in a house, but was always carried out under the sun or stars. The Khevsurs call themselves Christians, but their religion is a mixture of Chris tianity, Mohammedanism and heathen rites. They keep the Sab bath of the Christian church, the Friday of the Mohammedans and the Saturday of the Jews. They worship sacred trees and offer sacrifices to the spirits of the earth and air. Their priests are a combination of medicine-men and divines.
See G. F. R. Radde, Die Chevs'uren and ihr Land (Cassel, 1878) ; E. Chantre, Recherches anthropologiques dans le Caucase (1885-87).