A Supra (Georgian: სუფრა [sʊpʰra]) is a traditional Georgian feast and an important part of Georgian social culture. There are two types of Supra: a festive supra (ლხინის სუფრა, [lxɪnɪs sʊpʰra]), called a Keipi, and a sombre supra (ჭირის სუფრა, [tʃʼɪrɪs sʊpʰra]), called a Kelekhi that is always held after burials.
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In Georgian, "supra" means "table-cloth". Large public meals are never held in Georgia without a supra; when there are no tables, the supra is laid on the ground. The word is cognate with Persian sofre (from Arabic şufra "napkin, table(cloth)"), which currently refers to a pious votive repast where alcohol would be highly inappropriate, but originally meant a royal banquet of early Safavid court.[1]
Regardless of size and type, a supra is always led by a Tamada, or toastmaster, who introduces each toast during the feast. The Tamada is elected by the banqueting guests or chosen by the host. A successful Tamada must possess great rhetorical skill and be able to consume a large amount of alcohol without showing signs of drunkenness.[2]
A Keipi toast is called s "Sadghegrdzelo" (სადღეგრძელო, [sadɣɛɡrdzɛlɔ]), while a Kelekhi toast is called a "Shesandobari" (შესანდობარი, [ʃɛsandɔbarɪ]).