The Vocal Ensemble of the Mestia House of Culture (in Svaneti, Georgia) was founded by Aleksi Pilpani (choirmaster) and Ivane Margiani (director) in 1928 as the Mestia regional choir. After Margiani's death in 1933 the ensemble was directed by Murzaqan Dadeshkeliani, Sebi Guledani, then Platon Dadvani from 1938. Dadvani appointed Islam Pilpani as choirmaster in 1967, and Pilpani became the artistic director in 1982. The ensemble included dancers, notably Maharbi Gurguliani. After his death in 1966 Kandit Merlani became the ensemble's choreographer.
In the 1980s the ensemble took on the name Riho ().