FOR A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF SEVERAL TOPONYMS OF ABKHAZIA

Abstract

Many scholars are interested in Abkhazian historical and modern toponyms.
In spite of such interest, a lot should be studied and geographical names of
Abkhazia need a special research. A number of ambiguous issues related to the
history and etymology of many toponyms should be studied.
Complex methods of research, such as the analysis of data and sources
have been used, conclusions have been made by using a synthesis method,
points of views given in special scientific literature have been studied and
compared.
The present work presents the history and etymological analysis of geographical
names of Abkhazia-Dareni, Tesgri//Tegtsri, Marukhi, Ochamchire,
Tkauri, Tkvarcheli, Tkubuni, Ghurdzauli, Tsurtsukhi,//Tsutsakho and
Tskuzameli. The researcher makes a special assumption on each toponym
which is based on the Megrelian data. According to his opinion, Dareni/ Darini
is the same as a dwelling, housing, an area to have a rest and a place to stay.
Toumishi /Tumushi maybe is associated with the name of the grass and the
name should be given to the river or to the spread of Toma’s “wereka”

Marukhi may mean the place of stone falling or broken down, crushed
rock cliff, the place where great stones are thrown.
Ochamchire can be assumed as “a soft, vast field filled with water”; “vast
former marsh “; “a wide field where the rain water has not been dried up for
a long time.”
While discussing the etymology of toponym “Tkvarcheli”, we should take
into consideration, the other important meaning of the word confirmed in Megrelian.
In particular, Tkvarcheli” means “khergili” (barrier, gate), folding, putting
on each other”.
For motivation, we have two more important meanings of the word-
Tkubuni in Megrelian: 1.The impassable forest; 2. Orpiri (two-faced), ortskali
(two-watered). The starting meaning of ghurdzauli may be connected to the
plant – ghuardzli , ghvardzli. In Megrelian it corresponds with ghurdzuli . It
is so-called a weed herb grown in the crop fields.
For toponyms -Tskuzamela //tskuzameli the starting point may be only
-tskuza “the way of the spring”. Adding hydroformat-ela, we have got the
name of the river. In Tskuzamela, “ela” hydroformant has the function of
Georgian –“ura”.
Thus, the work presents the history and etymological analysis of some toponyms.