NODI

 

 

 

In Samegrelo, when organizing agricultural work, the majority of small families, if they had at least one yoke of oxen, were able to cultivate the plot of land independently.

 

In the case when they did not have oxen at all or had only one ox and, therefore, could not cultivate the land independently, they resorted to certain forms of labour organization. Such a co-working union in Samegrelo was called "Kalusvet" or "Kaluskvet Khojefi".

 

In the organization of labour, several families united with their tools and oxen and together, took turns cultivating each other's land.

 

Time for working, having meals and rest was meticulously distributed. During ploughing, women did not participate in the works but were responsible for preparing food and bringing it to the field. They brought mchadi (maize-bread), cheese, ghomi (maize porridge) and beans. While workers were dining, the oxen were fed and given watered and a rest.

 

In Samegrelo, as well as in the whole of Western Georgia, the form of labour organization was "Nodi", which meant mutual assistance and giving a hand to neighbours free. At that time, the owner of the plot were the neighbours worked for help, invited them to have a supper together at the end of the working day.

 

The hoeing of the field was a particularly time-consuming work, because of this the “nodi”, which represented the exchange labour, was mainly used. Several (5-6) peasants would join and take turns hoeing each other's land equally. They brought food from the family whose land they were ploughing that very day. The labour union built on exchange work was based on mutual agreement and equality and did not have the character of any legal obligations.

 

The “nodi” was used when harvesting, shelling the maize, flailing the foxtail millet. Women could participate in harvesting and shelling the maize, while for flailing the millet they organized “nodi” mostly of women.

 

They also organized “nodi” when shelling the maize. They usually did shelling at night. Young men and women gathered and helped the family until late night without any remuneration. Lately, the host used to prepare a dinner, which was also a great entertainment and joy. The host would cook a piglet or a yeanling for dinner. Such a “nodi” could be organized by any peasants, rich and poor, and the only difference was that the gathering would be much more numerous at the rich man’s house than at the poor peasant’ one.

 

The “nodi” had a leader - the head of “nodi”, who set an example to others with his work, regulated the pace of work, led the singing. Such a man enjoyed special respect both among other members of the “nodi” and from the hosts.

 

Among the forms of labour unions, one of the most important was an organizing of assistance to the needy families and widows. In such cases, neighbours would often come with their own food and agricultural tools and help the needy families. In Samegrelo, this form of labour organization was called by the word - "shentsooba".

 

The "nodi" is also related to "naduri" - people sang "naduri" songs while working. The “naduri” songs have a special place in Georgian folk art. These songs have been preserved in the regions of Adjara, Guria, Samegrelo and Imereti. The “naduri” is the common name for songs that were performed during collective work (sowing, hoeing, shelling, etc.). The name "naduri" comes from the word "nadi" denoting the group of singers performing these songs.

 

Working in “nodi” was considered an honourable and pleasant duty, the best singers were specially invited to “nadi” and they were especially respected.

 

Relevant to the type of the work, the songs performed by the “nadi” are divided into different types and there are special song for each agricultural work. The “naduri” songs were performed in a certain order. The song "Kanuri" (in the field) was performed during hoeing is distinguished among others since there are varieties of its versions.