The Upper Reaches of the Kodori Valley – The Misimians and the Dali Region

The history of Abkhazia remains a highly contested subject in Georgian historiography, where interpretations are often shaped by political and ideological considerations. In particular, debates focus on the historical foundations of Abkhaz statehood and the ethnic history of the region’s population. Historically, Abkhazia formed an integral part of the cultural and political sphere of Colchis and later the Kingdom of Lazica (Egrisi), sharing close ties with other regions of western Georgia. This study examines the ethnic identity and settlement of the Misimians, who inhabited the upper Kodori Valley in present-day Abkhazia. Drawing on a critical analysis of primary sources and specialized scholarship, it addresses competing interpretations of their identity. Georgian scholars generally regard the Misimians as an ethnographic group of the Georgian people, specifically the Svans, whereas Abkhaz historiography identifies them as Abkhazians. The article evaluates these conflicting claims in light of the available evidence.