"What Do We Believe?": Rebirth of "Traditional Religion" in Post-War Abkhazia

Abstract

The article examines the religious revival in post-war Abkhazia, where “traditional religion” - the worship of sanctuaries - acquires the central place. Main supporters of this new myth of “traditional religion” are the government authorities of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia. The authorities deliberately regulate the religious field and promote what can be called a guided, controlled de-secularization. The idea that this “traditional religion” will become the officially recognized state religion of the Republic becomes increasingly popular. However, even without such an official recognition, the “traditional religion” dominates the field and prevails over its likely contenders, Christian Orthodoxy and Islam.