Abkhazians are regarded among other people in the Caucasus as pagans. Traditional beliefs remain strong among both Christians and Muslims. Local spirits and gods that protect wild and domesticated animals are explained a manifestations of a single all-powerful god. Certain trees, groves and mountains are sacred. Stones with natural holes in them are placed at the entrance of houses to ward off the evil eye.

The Abkhazia bury their dead behind their homes rather in cemeteries in part so their descendants can look after them and perform rituals. Rites are performed by part-time village priests who usually come from families of priests. In one ritual, clothes of the deceased are hung around a room and beaten with a chestnut twig around midnight by an old woman who shouts, “That’s enough, enough, you are gone now.” At that point the priest announces, “Let’s be merry” and party starts that goes on until dawn.

Funerals are big events, often lasting for more than a week. The mourning period lasts a year. During that time candles must be lit and a meal must be served every Saturday. When the mourning period is a over a huge feast with wine and food for hundreds of people is held. Before the feast a cow is sacrificed and the funerary meal consists of boiled beef, hot cornmeal eaten by hand, white cheese melted on hot cornmeal, sauce made with crushed walnuts and herbs and sour plum sauce. Guest help defer the costs by bringing a chicken or the equivalent of a few dollars.

There are a number of rites associated with the dead. The corpse lies in state for at least 4 daysat the home of the deceased. During much of the time it is attended by wailing women dressed in black. Close male relatives don’t shave their beards. The clothes of the dead are laid out for one year after the death. In the 17th century there were reports of the Abkhazians suspending male corpses in trees. Until the 19th century there were special secondary burials for people who were stuck by lightning.

Folk medicine is widely used. The practitioners are mostly old women. Many illnesses are attributed to the rainbow god and cures often involve going to a river and saying prayers and making offerings of food. Animal sacrifices are performed as part of some healing and rain-making ceremonies.