Article for magazine- What is Romuva?

What is Romuva?

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).

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.

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.

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