In short,Romuva is the name given to the modern
revival of the Lithuanian Indigenous traditions, religion and way of life as developed from the Indo European peoples. The name is derived from the east Prussian temple called Romowe which has several meanings as temple, sanctuary and place of peace.Along with the many Baltic tribes, the Lithuanian tribes have no written records and
our only sacred texts, are the songs and tales collected by ethnographers from the
early 19th century. These songs and tales have become our connection with the
past, and the worldview of our distant ancestors. We differ from most other European based traditions in that we don't caste circles and call quarters. Our sacred rite is performed around the Fire Altar where we sing songs, dance, prayer and give offerings of gratitude to our Gods, Goddesses and ancestors.
(I will elaborate on the sacred Fire Rite in a future article.) We have many dear Father Gods and Mother Goddesses which are honoured regularily probably more Mothers than Fathers, I've never really counted. In fact there are 80 words of endearment for the name "Mother". Our greatest God is the mighty Perkunas, the Thunderer and his symbol (the Swastika/Fly foot Cross), is widely misunderstood because of the Nazi movement. (that's another article in itself).
(I will elaborate on the sacred Fire Rite in a future article.) We have many dear Father Gods and Mother Goddesses which are honoured regularily probably more Mothers than Fathers, I've never really counted. In fact there are 80 words of endearment for the name "Mother". Our greatest God is the mighty Perkunas, the Thunderer and his symbol (the Swastika/Fly foot Cross), is widely misunderstood because of the Nazi movement. (that's another article in itself).
A brief history.
Much of documented historical writings
about Lithuania, comes from various Chroniclers and the very first mention of Lithuania
was on February 14th, 1009, when it was recorded that, Bruno of Querfurt, who
was a Christian missionary and bishop, was beheaded while trying to convert
Lithuanian Pagans. Ironically this date has become a day of national pride and
the 1000 year anniversary of this event was celebrated with much pride, pomp and
ceremony in 2009.
I digress though, from the chroniclers
records, Lithuanians were documented as praying TO Fire, Trees, Rocks and sacred
Waters but they didn't understand that they were praying THROUGH Fire, Trees,
Rocks and sacred Waters to their Gods, Goddesses, local Spirits of place and
their ancestors. Lithuanians were also known as Bee keepers, Fire worshipers who honoured snakes among other sacred animals.
Lithuanians celebrated the seasonal,
agricultural and astronomical moments with many different customs and
traditions. Every season was accompanied by specific songs, dances and customs.
The time of sowing, growing and reaping was celebrated to honour the Gods and
Goddesses responsible and to ensure good future harvest.
The passage of the dear Sun Goddess, Saule
was especially celebrated at Solstices and Equinoxes.
It was also recorded the unusual funerary customs of keeping the deceased in the home even sharing meals for weeks or months before burial or cremation. The dead were traditionally honoured from Autumn equinox until the Winter Solstice and at special times like birthdays, Mothers/Fathers Day etc.
It was also recorded the unusual funerary customs of keeping the deceased in the home even sharing meals for weeks or months before burial or cremation. The dead were traditionally honoured from Autumn equinox until the Winter Solstice and at special times like birthdays, Mothers/Fathers Day etc.
There were many local variations of these
customs but they all convey a belief in the sacredness of nature, a belief that life exists in all things, both animate and inanimate and must be respected at all times. From Plants and animals to the Sun, Moon, Rocks and Living Waters that spring up from deep in the earth. All was life was sacred. Lithuanians also had a deep
connection with their ancestors and a strong belief in reincarnation. Many
Chroniclers have documented horrific scenes when Lithuanians preferred suicide
to be with their Ancestors and loved ones, over grief and enslavement!
Missionaries and Crusaders called Lithuanians to change their religion which
confused many Lithuanians, because to them it was just their way of life and
not a religion.
Lithuanians were the last European country
to convert to Catholicism in 1385. After 300 years of unsuccessful crusades into
their lands, a political marriage between the Lithuanian
Pagan Prince named Jogalia and the Polish Princess, Jadwiga was hoped to bring peace. An agreement of
their union, was that Lithuania would convert to Catholicism which brought hope that the Lithuanians would be free to live in peace from the endless attempts
by Teutonic knights and other crusaders to raid their beloved land and claim it
for Rome and Christendom, but this peace was not to be! It was not until 1410 the
great battle of Tannenburg, as named by the Germans. Lithuanians know this
battle as Zalgiris, and the Polish people know it as Grunwald. It was in this
battle that the Lithuanian Dukes organised an army consisting of Pagan and
Christian Lithuanian, Catholic Poles and Tartars, who decimated the German
Teutons in this battle, never to return to full strength, the eastern lands
finally found peace from them. I am very proud of such historical evidence of inter faith co operation!
So, fast forward to today, the Catholic
church in Lithuania had adapted many of the Pagan customs and simply renamed
them with Catholic names. For this, I am grateful, because many customs have been
preserved in this way. Lithuania is still largely Catholic by name but still very
much Pagan in their customs. Summer Solstice celebrations are still carried out
in the Pagan custom but given the name of St John festival. The same Deities
are honoured but with Catholic names. There are too many instances of this assimilation to name in
this short article.
The Lithuanian people of today find it easy to celebrate the old traditional faith because it has changed little in the time since conversion. People will often perform both Christian and Pagan customs at the same time! The Romuva movement in Lithuania is growing steadily with groups in Canada, USA, UK with adherent dotted all around the world. Young and old people across the world,are returning to the old ways of their Baltic ancestors, striving to achieve harmony within their own lives, with the Gods and Goddesses of Celestial and terrestrial worlds, and with the past and wisdom of the ancestors.
The Lithuanian people of today find it easy to celebrate the old traditional faith because it has changed little in the time since conversion. People will often perform both Christian and Pagan customs at the same time! The Romuva movement in Lithuania is growing steadily with groups in Canada, USA, UK with adherent dotted all around the world. Young and old people across the world,are returning to the old ways of their Baltic ancestors, striving to achieve harmony within their own lives, with the Gods and Goddesses of Celestial and terrestrial worlds, and with the past and wisdom of the ancestors.
About the author-An Australian Romuvis
I am an
Australian Romuvis. My ancestry is half
Lithuanian, quarter German and quarter Cornish. Although I have always been
attracted to the Arthurian tales of Cornwall and Germanic mythology, I have
always been drawn to my Lithuanian identity. I have been studying the old ways,
songs and tales of my Lithuanian ancestors for around 16 years now and believe
that I have found the right path for me and my life even if I am far from my ancestral land. I am still able to connect with this land of Australia and her cycles. This is where
I live after all, I believe, Baltic Pagan belief is to strive to live in,”
the here and now", in harmony, while remembering and learning from the past. There is much that I'd like to share with my Australian Pagan community and welcome questions from any seekers with an aim to assist in the quest for personal truth in the Firelight of Baltic truth, clarity and focus.
References
http://www.romuva.lt/new/?page=en
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Grunwald
References
http://www.romuva.lt/new/?page=en
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Grunwald
