T
he story favored by most; that the “cheers” ritual started back in the Middle Ages when folks would
clink their cups allowing a little of their wine into each other’s cup to make sure they weren’t being
poisoned is heralded by most historians as pure myth. Yes, it’s true that in this era poisoning one’s enemies
was common practice, however, very few scholars believe this was when the practice began because they
say there is no evidence to verify this.
But similar narratives have been documented in many cultures. For instance, a shared drink to avoid
poisoning is also found to have its place in the ancient cultures of indigenous populations including Polynesia
where the locally produced Cava was passed around a group to avoid anyone being poisoned.
There is a great amount of historical evidence that the practice of “toasting” not associated with poisoning,
actually dates back as far as 700 B.C. Most ancient societies had some ritualistic practice of drinking to
each other or one’s health.
Ch
ee
In Ancient Georgia, (the country, not the American state) the discovery of a bronze ‘tamada’ places
the practice of toasting as far back as 500-700 B.C. The ‘tamada’ or ‘toastmaster’ as we would
call them, would lead the community in their feast. This person was an instrumental figure
in their society even before the development of the Georgian written language. It has been
documented that the Colchis, who were known to be exquisite metal smiths, specifically with
gold, ruled a large area of Ancient Georgia. ‘Tamada’s’ remain a vital part of modern
Georgian and Azerbaijani gatherings.
As far back as 600 B.C. there exists records that the Ancient Greeks would offer
wine to the Gods, as well as each other, as a way of securing protection. In
Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ there is a passage where Achilles health is toasted by
Ulysses.
The Ancient Romans engaged in this habit as well. In fact there is
evidence of a decree that the Roman Senate passed that everyone
must drink to Emperor Augustus at every meal. This could make
for a very long and drawn out meal.
Other historians believe that the practice of clinking glasses in
itself was the most significant part of the ritual; that the noise
produced kept evil spirits away or at least far enough away like
the sound of church bells are supposed to.
Revisiting
The Origins of
the Toast
by Lisa Gmur, CSW
16
THE MARK WINE NEWS