Chidaoba

Georgian jacketed folk wrestling contested to live traditional music — knock opponent flat on their back to win.

👥1 per team🌤outdoor
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What is Chidaoba?

Chidaoba is Georgia's traditional folk wrestling, listed by UNESCO in 2018. Wrestlers wear a short jacket (chokha-style) and try to throw the opponent flat on their back. What makes chidaoba distinctive is the accompaniment: bouts are contested to live music from the doli drum and zurna oboe, adding tempo and rhythm to the exchange.

Quick facts

Category

Combat Sports

Type

Individual

Players

1 per team

Where played

outdoor

Country of origin

🇬🇪 Georgia

Estimated origin

Ancient Georgia (Caucasus); UNESCO Intangible Heritage 2018

Olympic

No

Popularity

regional

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified