Tamada (Supra)

Origin: The supra is the Georgian feast and is listed as intangible cultural heritage in Georgia. It is led by the tamada, the toastmaster, who sets the order of the toasts. At a supra nobody drinks without a toast.

How to play:

1. The table picks a tamada, classically the most eloquent guest
2. The tamada gives a toast, often several minutes long
3. Going around, everyone may pick the toast up and carry it further
4. Only once all have spoken does the table drink together

Classic order of toasts: peace, those present, family, those absent, the departed, the hosts, the future.

Drinking:

• Drink only after a toast, never in between
• Drink without one and you give the next toast
• Beer stays in the glass during toasts: in Georgia it is the drink for curses, toasts are made with wine

Attitude: Short honest toasts beat long ones. The tamada makes sure nobody is skipped.