Voices of the Ancestors

Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson
  • 5.0 (9)
  • MUSIC

Folk music podcast transporting you to the Republic of Georgia. Bringing songs and stories from women singers. Hosted by Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson.

  1. Women's Folklore Festivals with Nanina's Maka Khardziani

    22/10/2025

    Women's Folklore Festivals with Nanina's Maka Khardziani

    “It's a call for me, it’s a call to protect traditions. The Voices of Ancestors aren’t only sounds we heard from the old recordings, it’s all the traditions which our ancestors kept.” Dr. Maka Khardziani —- In this special video episode, you can both see and hear the creative work of Nanina, a women’s group of ethnomusicologists and singers based in Tbilisi, Georgia. Our guest, Dr Maka Khardziani - ethnomusicologist and Director of Nanina - reveals how Georgian women’s voices continue to shape the nation’s musical soul. - Together with hosts Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson, Maka takes us inside the Nanina Women’s Folklore Festivals: how they began, why they focus on women, and how each year’s theme builds on the next: 1st Festival: lullabies and the ancient goddess Nana 2nd Festival: healing songs and the Batonebi ritual circling the church 3rd Festival: women’s labour songs and handicrafts Next year: ritual songs for weddings and the weather - Far from being just concerts, the festivals bring together scholarly papers, video presentations from regional ensembles, and exhibitions of women’s handicrafts. Maka reveals how lullabies form the root language of all Georgian song, and how healing songs once worked as powerful emotional therapy. She also discusses the challenges of reviving women’s work songs that were rarely recorded — and the joy of discovering unknown melodies in old archives. - There’s a touching moment when Maka sings Nanila, a Svan lullaby from her home region of Svaneti. And videographer-singer Ia Andghuladze joins in to share the younger generation’s perspective on carrying these traditions forward through film and music. > In this episode - Lullabies and the ancient goddess Nana - The Batonebi healing ritual and sacred round dance - Women’s labour songs and handicrafts - The multidisciplinary festival: music, film, scholarship, and craft - How younger artists are continuing the work of Nanina ----- 🎧 Hosted by Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson 🎥 Video and audio production by Ia Andghuladze 📍 Guest: Dr Maka Khardziani, Director of Nanina -- >Music Intro: ‘Makharia’, chonguri. From the Ialoni album, 'I fell in love with that sweet voice' Maka: Sings opening phrase of Iavnana Maka: Sings Svan Nana - Nanila Lalkhori sing Lullabies from Svaneti Nanina sing Meskhetian Batonebo >Links - Film about the creative Group Nanina in Georgian with English subtitles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_y8vcWy7_E >If you enjoyed this episode, why not buy the creators a coffee? On ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Support the podcast on patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Navigate this episode with the searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts

    59 min
  2. Centuries of Song with Teona Lomsadze: Series 2 Episode 7

    22/02/2025

    Centuries of Song with Teona Lomsadze: Series 2 Episode 7

    “So I feel Voices of the Ancestors are definitely, somehow, I don't know, kept in Georgian traditional music for me, because it's, it brings me so much energetic, like emotional information and energy er encoded in this music over the centuries, which is just because of our ancestors and their voices.” Dr Teona Lomsadze. > This episode covers a lot of ground, both musically and emotionally. Imagine singing with your family at feasts and the local folk youth club, then Gori Women’s Choir and in church, then being a jazz soloist and leading international workshops, all the while following your academic career, researching and writing. That’s just a taste of the life of Dr Teona Lomsadze. - Are there rules at the Supra table? Teo walks us through her family feasts. > - Can a woman be tamada? Gender dynamics at the supra table > - Is Supra a ritual? The sacred power of wine at the supra table > - What songs are being sung at the protests in Tbilisi? Hear about Teo’s research into folk song and protest, and how those politics are playing out on the streets of Georgia now. > - Can a Christmas carol be a political statement? How the ancient ritual of alilos were revived and are being performed as an act of resistance. > -Can you improvise a folk song? Hear exclusive live recordings of Teo singing in Oxford University with Nana Mzhavanadze, Magda Kevlishvili and Teo’s partner Sandro Shar. > Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson host, with guest Dr Teona Lomsadze. Audio production by Holly Taylor-Zuntz > Music in this episode: Intro: ‘Makharia’, chonguri. From the Ialoni album, 'I fell in love with that sweet voice' Underscore: Teo and friends singing ‘Jer Ar Ikneba Gvian’ ‘Maspindzelsa mkhiarulsa’ sung by Teona Lomsadze, Sandro Shar and Nana Mzchavanadze. Live recording by Geoff Burton Underscore: ‘Tsaiqvanes tamar kali’ sung by Maspindzeli ‘Me var da chemi nabadi', from Imereti sung by Aidio ‘Chona Alilo’ from Imereti sung by Odila ‘Dideba chvens shekreba’ sung by Teona Lomsadze, Sandro Shar and Nana Mzhavanadze. Live recording by Geoff Burton ‘Kirialesa’ sung by Kalta Choir ‘Nainina’ sung by Teona Lomsadze, Sandro Shar and Magda Kevlishvili. Live recording by Geoff Burton. ‘Shavlego’ sung by Mtiebi ‘Khasanbegura’ sung by Kimilia >> If you enjoyed this episode, why not buy the creators a coffee? On ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Support the podcast on patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Navigate this episode with the searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts >> Links: E-book of Women’s Role in Unesco-Recognised European Traditional Singing Practices, compiled by Teona Lomsadze: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qZaLqiVZWdOCwvG4QjT9KJ0u8lhM2v7a/view?usp=drive_link Independent Georgian news sources in English: oc-media.org/ www.instagram.com/formulaenglish/?hl=en

    1h 15m
  3. New Year Reflections: Folk and Protest

    08/01/2025

    New Year Reflections: Folk and Protest

    “How beautiful is my homeland, the more beautiful it is, the more my heart breaks.” From the song Ra Kargi Ram Khar being sung by protestors in Tbilisi. > Susan travels to Oxford to record a special video episode with Holly (Youtube: https://youtu.be/1sHbDZnUA9Y). Reflecting on the political situation in Georgia, while looking back at the past year and ahead to the next. - Giving an overview of the situation through the lens of folk songs and folk singers. - Sharing how the situation is affecting past podcast guests - Zoe Perret, Nino Naneishvili and Nana Mzchavanadze. - Exploring what folk music means now, what songs are being sung? We answer by singing live - in two voices. - Giving an update on 2025’s next episode with Dr. Teona Lomsadze. > Voices of the Ancestors podcast With Susan Thompson and Holly Taylor-Zuntz. > If you enjoyed this episode, why not buy the creators a coffee? On ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Support the podcast on patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Navigate this episode with the searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts >> Links: Independent Georgian news sources in English: https://oc-media.org/ https://www.instagram.com/formulaenglish/?hl=en

    16 min
  4. Myths and Stories of Svaneti - Series 2 Episode 5

    30/05/2024

    Myths and Stories of Svaneti - Series 2 Episode 5

    Series 2 Episode 5 “a connection which is not stopping from the past and goes and goes and maybe it’s the circle and maybe it's an unstoppable line - but oh it's a really great feeling.” Vanda Bakuradze > Where can you catch a bear, a giant, a thunderstorm and a Bill Withers song? > Continuing from our last episode, ‘Rituals of the Singing Village’, where we heard from the Chamgeliani singing sisters, in this episode we delve even deeper into the culture, mythology and stories of Svaneti. - Hear from two young singers from ensemble Lalkhor, who say they could not live without ‘perkhuli’, the ritual round dance. - Take a fireside seat to hear the legend of the pagan goddess Dali and hunter Betkil. - Swim in the land between reality and myth at the Folk Centre. > Susan Thompson hosts, with guest co-host Annalie Wilson. (https://www.annalie.co.uk). With curational support from Holly Taylor-Zuntz. Guests: Madona Chamgeliani, Lika Liparteliani, Vanda Bakuradze, Bakuri Mukbaniani. Translators: Zoe Pérret and Givi Poti. Audio production by Snow Lion Media https://snowlionmedia.com > If you enjoyed this episode, why not buy the creators a coffee? On ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Support the podcast on patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Navigate this episode with the searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts > Music in this episode: The Chamgeliani ‘Sisters’ - Ana, Levan Bitarov and Madona from the Singing Village Album - Song - Nanila Ensemble Lalkhor - live recording by Susan Thompson of solo concert, Tbilisi. Song - Dala Kojas Khelvajhale Ensemble Amer-Imeri - live recording by Susan Thompson during UK tour, Sheffield. Song - Bail Betkil The Latali singers - live recording by Annalie Wilson, Latali. Song - Riho > Books about Georgian Folk Stories, Myths and Legends in English Georgian Mythical Heroes and Their World ISBN 978-9941-504-09-9 Georgian Folk Traditions and Legends ISBN 978-9941-478-03-1 Georgian Folk Tales - Translated from the Russian by N. Dolidze (no ISBN)

    50 min
  5. Rituals of the Singing Village - Chamgeliani Sisters - Series 2 Episode 4

    30/08/2023

    Rituals of the Singing Village - Chamgeliani Sisters - Series 2 Episode 4

    How do you welcome the souls of your ancestors? Why are wolves sacred? Can you sing and dance through grief? An audio journey to the highest mountains of Georgia - Svaneti. We meet Ana, Madona and Eka Chamgeliani, three sisters keeping the ancient traditions of their village, Lakhushdi, alive. We hear:- How their mother and grandmother passed on local traditions, protecting them from dying out. -How a round dance, found in the capital, was taught to Maspindzeli (London based Georgian choir) and revived in its home village. - How Madona took on the entire orthodox patriarchy and won the right to continue the ancient song and dance ritual of Tanghiloba, - The legend of St. George becoming a werewolf - The infamous story of a Cockerel taken to a Tbilisi hospital to catch the souls. - A storyteller and a singer-songwriter’s first impressions of a country whose songs they love but had never visited. - A ballad performed live by all three sisters accompanied by Svan stringed instrument the chuniri Voices of the Ancestors by Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson. If you enjoyed this episode, why not buy the creators a coffee? On ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Support the podcast on patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Navigate this episode with the searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts Music in this episode: Live recording of a Svanetian Ballad sung by Ana, Eka and Madona Chamgeliani with Ana playing chuniri. Barbal Dolash from THE SINGING VILLAGE (Lakhushdi) https://georgianfolksinging.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-singing-village-lakhushdi with Ana and Madona Chamgeliani and Levan Biatrovi Tanghili chant - Diadeb sung by the elders of Lakhushdi, recorded by Gosia Kaszhubska Links: Chamgeliani’s Concerts in Europe November 2023 https://europalia.eu/en/europalia-georgia/events/basiani-ensemble-chamgeliani-sisters Basiani Ensemble and the Chamgeliani Sisters - ARSONIC, MARS-MONS ARTS DE LA SCÈNE Date/Time: 15/11/2023 - 19:00:00 ADDRESS: Rue de Nimy 138 - 7000 Mons https://europalia.eu/en/europalia-georgia/events/chamgeliani-sisters-didgori-ensemble Chamgeliani Sisters and the Didgori Ensemble Date/Time: 11/11/2023 - 19:00:00 ADDRESS: Molière Theater, Porte de Namur Gallery 3, Square du Bastion - 1050 Brussels Film links: Life in 3 Voices https://lifeinthreevoices.com/ - A documentary film following Ensemble Adilei and the Chamgeliani sisters, both on tour in the US, and in their native Georgia. A Film by Marina Kaganova & Leo Decristoforo. Adventures in Singing https://youtu.be/eVze6oVbniE?si=CHvslwWKVZoVnXqg - The experience of non-Georgians learning to sing Georgian polyphonic songs, with insights from master singers. By David Ring. Lakhushdi: The Singing Village https://youtu.be/hZ_zhyYQCgc?si=-8XWHmAjrBxHCHfd - Work and play in the village of Lakhushdi. Villagers practice traditional polyphonic song and circle dance. In July 2011 villagers welcomed guests to learn the songs and take part in the Festival - The Feast of Limkheri. The festival is celebrated at the 14th Century Chapel on the wooded hill above the village. The village is home to a cultural and development co-operative, The Union Lidbashi.By MikeSpringVideos. https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpringVideos Feasting and Singing in Svaneti https://youtu.be/ARQ63OZJmnY?si=tc8psdRc9vllVEmM Our guests enjoyed a home cooked meal in the home of the Chamgeliani sisters in upper Svaneti. A highlight was hearing them sing traditional polyphony! John Graham Tours https://www.youtube.com/@JohnGrahamTours On Bandcamp https://georgianfolksinging.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-singing-village-lakhushdi On Georgian Chant http://www.georgianchant.org/svan-chant-intro/ - An introduction to Svanetian Chant by ethnomusicologist Matthew Knight. The House of Song, Lakhushdi (fundraiser now closed) https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lakhushdi-house-of-song#/

    1h 3m
  6. Nino Kaladadze Remembered - Series 2 Episode 3

    26/04/2023

    Nino Kaladadze Remembered - Series 2 Episode 3

    “Nino was like a fish in water amongst all the musical genres of Georgian folk, but especially so amongst the lullabies.” Voices of the Ancestors podcast tribute to Nino Kalandadze-Makaradze, a respected ethnomusicologist, editor and singer with ensemble Mzetamze. In the episode you will: Meet Nino through interviews with fellow Mzetamze singer - Nana Valishvili, former student - Lola Surmanidze and the musicologist/cultural anthropologist Ekaterine Diasamidze Graham. Listen to Nino Naneishvili with ensemble Ialoni improvising an ‘Iavnana’ musical response to the loss of Nino. Hear a Rachian dance song from Mzetamze’s 2002 concert at SOAS, UK recorded by Geoff Burton. Resources: Transcript https://voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts-with-links-to-people-places-music Voices of the Ancestors podcast Website www.voicesoftheancestors.co.uk From Rust to Roadtrip video featuring Zikr ceremony: https://youtu.be/By1rEPS_RWQ Mzetamze recorded on larynx mics by Frank Scherbaum: https://www.audiolabs-erlangen.de/resources/MIR/2017-GeorgianMusic-Scherbaum Please become a supporter of the arts on our donation platforms: Ko-fi www.ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors and on Patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors. Music:- Veengara - Mzetamze Khevsuretian lullaby (Nane) - Mzetamze Batonebis Nanina - Mzetamze recorded by Frank Sherbaum Rachuli Satsekvao - dance song from live concert recording by Geoff Burton at SOAS London 2002 Iavnana - Ialoni improvising live recording (the song is from Shalva Aslanishvili’s old recordings in Racha). Chemo Dav - Mzetamze Bindisperia Sopeli - Holly, Nana Valishvili & Susan live recording

    40 min
  7. On Folk Instruments with Nino Razmadze = Series 2 Episode 2

    20/02/2023

    On Folk Instruments with Nino Razmadze = Series 2 Episode 2

    Can you tell your changis from your chuniris from your chonguris? You’ll often see one of them in the hands of Trio Mandili. Don’t worry, our guest Nino Razmadze talks us through all the folk instruments of Georgia in this informative episode. Combine listening, with looking at the transcript, and you will become familiar with both the sound and looks of Georgian folk instruments. Even if you’re familiar with the sound of a chonguri, you won’t have heard the field recording Nino made of the great player Polikarpe Khubulava. Nino is an ethnomusicologist and deputy director of the International Research Centre for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi State Conservatoire. She’s about to complete her PhD on Folk instruments. Nino is the founder of Gogora wooden toy company. She is passionate about developing designs from folk themes. Our chat touches on:- The spiritual significance of instruments in rituals such as ‘catching the soul’ and Batonebi. Embroidery designs - Nino says “if somebody wants to make a new socks they can check, maybe 500 socks and understand which kind of colour they can use, which kind of ornaments and have they put together” - Download link -https://voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/voices-of-the-ancestors-all-episodes#Textile_ornaments Working with the Bate Collection of musical Instruments in Oxford Are girls more likely to play the chonguri or the bagpipes? What is the professional name for a group of cow bells? How do tuning systems change with instruments between regions? All your burning questions and more are answered in this interview. Music in this episode Intro: Makharia, chonguri. From the Ialoni album, 'I fell in love with that sweet voice' Khorumi from Merisi in Ajara (supplied by Nino Razmadze) Daira - Lola and Gratsia from Mountains of Tongues LP playing garmoni and daira. Satsekvao - panduri by Mzetamze Intro to Irinola on chuniri by Anna Chamgeliani Mze shinao by Sathanao, Lullaby from Samegrelo played on chonguri. Ensemble Lashari play tushuri melodies with salamuri (supplied by Nino Razmadze). The sound of the larchemi (supplied by Nino Razmadze) Merisi Khorumi (supplied by Nino Razmadze) Chemo Zalo by Mzetamze Papiko playing chuniri (supplied by Nino Razmadze) Ase Chonguri by Ensemble Shavnabada Sabodisho batonebo by Ialoni Polikarpe Khubulava (field recording by Nino Razmadze) Givi pirtskelani playing changi - chiche tura (field recording by Nino Razmadze) Avksenti Megrelidze’s choir - dedats miqvars (Alazani.ge Thanks to Teo Lomsadze for sourcing music.) Voices of the Ancestors by Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson. If you enjoyed this episode, why not buy the creators a coffee? On ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors Support the podcast on patreon www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Navigate this episode with the searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts-with-links-to-people-places-music#On_folk_instruments To be invited to the Voices of the Ancestors Community - on Facebook, click this link and answer the questions www.facebook.com/groups/516207299354485/

    1h 16m
  8. Tamar Buadze Part 1 - Series 2 Episode 1

    23/09/2022

    Tamar Buadze Part 1 - Series 2 Episode 1

    Voices of Our Grandmothers with guest Tamar Buadze and interpreter Zoé Perret. Kicking off series 2, innovative choir conductor Tamar Buadze tells the surprising tale of how she came to work with Laz songs, while living in Rustavi (far, far away from Laz regions in Georgia and Turkey). One of her former students tells us what it was like to grow up in a folk choir, and tells us (one version of) the story behind the Abkhazian song Varado. But best of all Tamar shares with us the tone-bending voice of her Megrelian grandmother. Tamar graduated from Tbilisi State Conservatory and is the head of Rustavi Music school. She leads Tutarchela women and youth choirs (https://www.facebook.com/tutarchelachoir), who participate in a number of prestigious European festivals, as well as many other groups. Across her various choirs, she teaches around 250 people a week! As well as leading outdoor open-access singing workshops (ground-breaking for her native Georgia), she teaches for the International Singing Project ‘ChorOnline’, and has taught American women’s ensemble Kitka. Tamar’s approach to teaching folklore is holistic, incorporating games and dances into the music. Her student Ninutsa says “all the appreciation, taste of music, anything connected to music for me comes from Tamar. Not only about music, but - she really raised us.’ She has brought European techniques such as the Kodály method to her adult and youth choirs in Georgia. Her arrangements of Laz songs can be found in ‘Songbook Georgia’, which focuses on the female repertoire of traditional folk songs: https://www.amazon.com/Songbook-Georgia-Liederbuch-Georgien-Weltkulturerbe/dp/3954903016 Donate to help tell more women's stories:- ko-fi.com/voicesoftheancestors www.patreon.com/voicesoftheancestors Join our community facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/516207299354485 Sign up for our email updates and never miss an episode: eepurl.com/hhgoOf Searchable transcript, available here voicesoftheancestors.co.uk/transcripts.

    44 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Folk music podcast transporting you to the Republic of Georgia. Bringing songs and stories from women singers. Hosted by Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson.

Information

  • Creator
    Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Voices of the Ancestors