Dora and Darna Moralility and Harmony
Principles of Baltic
worldview,Faith and customs reflected in todays people.
First we must ask the question : what is morality?
First we must delve into exactly what morality is,
understanding that, at no time, am I trying to tell people how to live. I am
merely passing on to you what Baltic morality is and I won’t say that humankind
globally could not learn these basic principles of morality according to
traditional Baltic culture and can be seen in most, if not all, Indigenous
cultures.
According to the Oxford English dictionary:
Morality
n. pl. moralities
Definition:
1. The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.
2. A system of ideas of right and wrong conduct: religious morality; Christian morality.
3. Virtuous conduct.
also defined as:
1. conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct.
also defined as:
1. conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct.
2. moral quality or character.
3. virtue in sexual matters; chastity.
4. a doctrine or system of morals.
By observing this code of morals and obligations, a
person can achieve harmony and the status of zmogus. Not everyone was known as
a zmogus, only people who lived in harmony with the earth were considered to be
Zmogus,(Earthlings). If a zmogus lives in harmony with the seasons his/her
garden will flourish because everything is done at the right times. A hard
working gardener/farmer supplies food for his family and community whereas a
lazy gardener who disregards his/her seasonal obligations becomes a burden on
his community, would be lucky to survive winter without the generosity of
neighbors. The actions would not really be considered as immoral rather amoral
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For the purpose of our talk, we will look at moral
behaviour in relation to moral qualities, virtuous conduct, a system of ideas
of right and wrong conduct and being in accordance with the generally accepted
standard of conduct of a particular society.
The complexity of the subject of morality will be
simplified by solely looking at Lithuanian Baltic morality and you may find
elements can be taken on in your own life, today, in Australia. Following or
conforming to rules of moral conduct can lead an individual to harmony with
his/her community, Gods and Goddess of nature and her seasonal cycles. Not to
forget the way that religion connects
one to the Ancestors.
We find that the literature of a culture often passes
on morality with stories and tales.
Aesop Fables With Morals
Fables are a type of folk literature characterized by
concise narratives that impart a moral to the reader at the conclusion of the
story. Characters in fables are typically animals, imaginary creatures, flora,
natural forces and other non-human objects or organisms, either animate or
inanimate, that are given human attributes. Throughout history, the literature
of nearly every region in the world has included fables. Although fables are
often used to teach moral lessons to children, many of them are satirical works
on political, social and religious issues intended for adults. Popular
fabulists include Aesop, Vishnu Sarma, Hans Christian Andersen, George Orwell
and Dr. Seuss. While some of the morals are particular to a specific fable or
author, others cross cultural and historical boundaries, remaining as relevant
today as they were centuries ago.
List of morals
-Appearances are sometimes deceiving.
-Slow but steady wins the race.
-Familiarity breeds contempt.
-Never trust a flatterer.
-Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing.
-Little friends may become great friends.
-It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
-A man is known by the company he keeps.
-Never trust your enemy.
-One man's pleasure may be another's pain.
-Nature exceeds nurture.
-Necessity is the mother of invention.
-It is easy to kick a man who is down.
-Birds of a feather flock together.
-Misery loves company.
-Look before you leap.
-Let well enough alone.
-He who laughs best, laughs last.
-Nothing escapes the master's eye.
-The hero is brave in deeds as well as words.
-Try to please all, and you please none.
-Honesty is the best policy.
-Do not count your chickens before they hatch.
-Every truth has two sides.
-Greatness carries its own penalties.
-Like will draw like.
-No arguments will give courage to the coward.
-Fair weather friends are not worth much.
Many morals from fables are now common household
maxims, an indication of their universality and timelessness. Applicable to both
children and adults, these morals reflect the traditions, values and beliefs of
mankind, as well as its tendency to err.
The main point here is that our morals are taught to
us as children through folktales and fables so we can draw the conclusion Baltic
morality had it’s roots in the folk tales and songs of it’s nation.
Historians would have you believe that before
Christianity arrived, there was no morality but this was definitely not the
case. Country folk/Pagans had a very strict and often complicated system of
morals that are missing from today’s repertoire in this country and many more.
Lithuanians even today view hospitality as a moral
obligation, both for the visited and the visitor.
Morality is very different in every culture. In some
cultures morality is based on economic concerns, such as drug laws that are PRO
tobacco and CON marijuana, same sex unions accepting same sex couples merely
for financial reasons and denying other human rights. in some societies, it is
religious doctrine and dogma that dictate morality. such as in our own legal
system and the Middle East in the extreme example.
Morality without religion is a tree without roots
—George Bernard Shaw
Some may argue the existence of morality actually
exists these days. Morality is ever changing and what might have been
considered acceptable 100 years ago is no longer considered ethical. Eg
sacrifice And vice versa some things we do today were not considered in the
morality of the past. Simple things like scant clothing and colourful language.
Lithuanians have always had their own brand, if you
like, of their sense of morality which these days seems to be focused around
the family in a big way but wasn’t always so. A visitor never arrives empty
handed. Often with a bunch of flowers, box of chocolates, biscuits, bottle of
alcohol, etc. The visitee provides the rest to ensure every hospitality is
extended to the guest. In Lithuanian folk custom it is a superstition that
Elgetas may be Dievas Sky God wandering the Earth as a beggar. Those who are
not hospitable to him and observe common laws of decency may be punished by
Perkunas the Thunderer. Honour was not an empty ideal as it is often taken as
today. A persons verbal promise was a very serious transaction. Failure to come
through on a promise, often met serious physical assault and sometimes death.
Morality is not only extended to human relations but
also relations with the living world around them. Hunters must sacrifice with
thanks after a successful kill. The Earth and Fire, was not to be disrespected
in any way lest there be dire consequences.
There were sacred Trees, Groves, hills, fields and
other places that were morally forbidden to defile. Trees that could not be
pruned, fields that could not be trod upon and sacred waters that could not be
polluted. There was a morality that extended beyond human relations and
community. This morality was reflected with the natural world and so caused
harmony with it. This morality also demanded that social customs were observed
but also seasonal customs, that I will outline later. These customs were not
only necessary for survival in the harsh climate, but also an obligation to
give thanks to the Gods and Goddesses of the season. Giving thanks to the Gods,
according to folk superstition, was an obligation in order to secure a good
harvest, fortune and luck for the year. Everyone wanted to be in the Gods
favour. Many of the customs and traditions were to ensure that farm work was
done at the correct seasonal times and the Gods and Ancestors must be specially
honoured at certain times to ensure good favour. Lithuanians believed that the
Gods and Goddesses were not superior and their rulings on our life is not
final. People can do things to increase their fortune and harmony. eg Geguzes,
Appeasing Souls of the Ancestors, who live in Trees, fields and waters, will
ensure the fertility of nature and crops.
Dora-morals, is a means to darna-harmony.
Let me explain
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