Published on Youtube on Apr 28, 2014.
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This movie about the roots of Lithuanian folk customs was filmed in Lithuanian Film Studio in 1982 but it was banned from cinemas until 1984 because people in charge of Central USSR television regarded it as "too ethnic". The director of this film Gytis Lukšas recounts: "At the time when Lithuania's national broadcaster was not allowed to show even distaffs with traditional ornaments (because the Central Committee of the Communist Party regarded all ethnic items as idolization of the feudal-bourgeois past) a feature-length movie about the 9th century roots of our culture suddenly comes out! It featured the poetry of Marcelijus Martinaitis, ancient polyphonic folk songs & instruments, it was an open challenge! Moscow had requested to make this film but when they saw the end result, they got angry and banned it from the public for several years. However, unofficially people were still watching it in Lithuanian village culture centres, each such screening would turn into folk get-togethers even before the Sajūdis* had started. At that time people in Lithuania were already talking about the independence and us being a European nation with deep cultural roots."
*Sąjūdis*, initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence from Russia which was established as an official organisation on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis. Its goal was to seek the return of independent status for Lithuania.
*Sąjūdis*, initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence from Russia which was established as an official organisation on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis. Its goal was to seek the return of independent status for Lithuania.
This film reconstructed Lithuanian customs, traditional works and rituals in different seasons. The film features sounds of Sutartine chants from Aukštaitija*, cultural ethnic rituals and Samogitian* war songs, old folk instruments such as horns, blown in a row and skudučiai* circles, reveal the formation of the past national consciousness and worldview.
*Aukštaitija*, one of 5 ethno graphic regions of Lithuania and located in the eastern highland area of Lithuania.
*Samogitian*, from one of the 5 ethnographic areas of Lithuania and located in the North western lowland area of Lithuania. Today Samogitia is known as Žemaitija.
*Curonian*, from one of the 5 ethnographic areas of Lithuania and located in the western coastal area of Lithuania. Curonia was part of Prussian Lithuanian territory.
*Curonian*, from one of the 5 ethnographic areas of Lithuania and located in the western coastal area of Lithuania. Curonia was part of Prussian Lithuanian territory.
*skudučiai*,multi-pipe whistles still commonly played in many areas of northeastern Europe.
I will attempt to describe some of the events and scenes portrayed in the film, for those unfamiliar to the old Lithuanian ethnic cultural pagan customs.
6.44-Boy playing skudučiai
7min30- 4 types of Lithuanian Beehives can be seen. (Can you spot them?). Throughout history, Lithuanians were known as skilled Beekeepers.
8min30- Sounds of the horns can be heard.
10min30-Young girl being taught to weave a sash by her mother or grandmother.
15min11-Dance Sutartine chant performed by a group of girls.
15min42-Traditional Lithuanian ornate distaffs from spinning wheels, decorated with symbols of the Sun and World Tree of the Baltic peoples.
16min39-shows the Lithuanian view of the magic of rocks and healing, purifying and cleansing ability of the water which is made alive and sacred, by gathering in a hole in the rock.
19min50-Lithuanian bread making shows the symbol of the Sun Goddess imprinted on it before baking.
Interval at 21.45 & 23.46-distinctive ancient Curonian grave markers.
21min50-Ritualistic sharing of the sacred bread among family members.
22min49-I have no idea why girls had their cut this way! It does look ritualistic though. All I can deduce is that it has something to do with the ritual of becoming a wife. The flower wreath is taken off and the traditional head dress of a married women is ritualistically done.(24min41)
Interval at 26.20-ritualistic jewelry is reproduced from the findings of archaeologists and used as everyday dress ornaments.
28min18-ritual of burying bread, salt. The last bushel of rye, not cut in the previous years harvest, is woven into a plait leaving it's roots still in the ground. It is believed that the Rye Goddess dwells in this bushel. This ritual is done in order to increase the fertility of the field.
29min07-Songs, chants and dances were a common sight in the fields.
30min01-Lithuanians even today make these straw decorations that represent the world Tree and some represent a garden with birds which are made for Winter Solstice. At 30min34 you can see one such ornament. You can even see the birds hanging off the corners.
Interval at 26.20-ritualistic jewelry is reproduced from the findings of archaeologists and used as everyday dress ornaments.
28min18-ritual of burying bread, salt. The last bushel of rye, not cut in the previous years harvest, is woven into a plait leaving it's roots still in the ground. It is believed that the Rye Goddess dwells in this bushel. This ritual is done in order to increase the fertility of the field.
29min07-Songs, chants and dances were a common sight in the fields.
30min01-Lithuanians even today make these straw decorations that represent the world Tree and some represent a garden with birds which are made for Winter Solstice. At 30min34 you can see one such ornament. You can even see the birds hanging off the corners.
35min30-Flax growing,harvesting and processing was always very important to Lithuanian people. The flax was spun and woven to create all kinds of linen items. Garments, tablecloths and bedding were made, to name but a few. This was arduous work and often neighbors and extended families would come together to help each other, often working late into the night with many songs to pass the time more easily.
40min46-Show some of the Uzgavenes customs. (Uzgavenes is also known as Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday,Shrove). This was a purely pagan custom which involved people dressing up as various mythical beings such as Witches, Gods, Goddesses, Devils, etc. At 41min09, you can see some dressed as Giltine, Goddess of Death. The grim reaper who spits poison with her pointed tongue and escorts the dying part way to Paradise. During Uzgavenes, there is much dancing, singing, games and laughter. For more information on the rites of Uzgavenes, feel free to read my related blog posts.
42min42- Still during the time of Uzgavenes, some neighboring boys bring More,( old man/the hag of Winter), to the farmstead and this effigy is murdered, killed and burned with much jubilation to usher out the Winter season and welcome the Spring.
47min48-Wedding preparation ritual for the bride who is adorned with traditional jewelry and a wreath of Rue. Naturally the girl is grieved to leave her parents, family and home to be married. Although it is a happy occasion it is outweighed by her sadness.You can feel her pain in the whole rite.
51min53-A traditional lamentation called Raudos can be heard. These are traditionally sung often at the time of leaving the home and at funerals. The sadness and sobbing really expresses the sentiment of the song.
56min51-A scene from a *Curonian* rite of Velines,(known as Samhain to many). Candles are lit on graves to light the way home for the Veles, (Souls) and show them that their memory, like the flame, continues to burn bright in our hearts and minds. This rite was commonly practised across all the Baltic lands.
I hope you found this clip informative and inspiring. Paganism has a rich tapestry of rites and customs which modern humankind has neglected and forgotten. I believe that understanding our ancient roots and reviving the simplistic customs of our ancestors can help us to once again re align or harmonise with our Earth mother and our Sky father.
40min46-Show some of the Uzgavenes customs. (Uzgavenes is also known as Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday,Shrove). This was a purely pagan custom which involved people dressing up as various mythical beings such as Witches, Gods, Goddesses, Devils, etc. At 41min09, you can see some dressed as Giltine, Goddess of Death. The grim reaper who spits poison with her pointed tongue and escorts the dying part way to Paradise. During Uzgavenes, there is much dancing, singing, games and laughter. For more information on the rites of Uzgavenes, feel free to read my related blog posts.
42min42- Still during the time of Uzgavenes, some neighboring boys bring More,( old man/the hag of Winter), to the farmstead and this effigy is murdered, killed and burned with much jubilation to usher out the Winter season and welcome the Spring.
47min48-Wedding preparation ritual for the bride who is adorned with traditional jewelry and a wreath of Rue. Naturally the girl is grieved to leave her parents, family and home to be married. Although it is a happy occasion it is outweighed by her sadness.You can feel her pain in the whole rite.
51min53-A traditional lamentation called Raudos can be heard. These are traditionally sung often at the time of leaving the home and at funerals. The sadness and sobbing really expresses the sentiment of the song.
56min51-A scene from a *Curonian* rite of Velines,(known as Samhain to many). Candles are lit on graves to light the way home for the Veles, (Souls) and show them that their memory, like the flame, continues to burn bright in our hearts and minds. This rite was commonly practised across all the Baltic lands.
I hope you found this clip informative and inspiring. Paganism has a rich tapestry of rites and customs which modern humankind has neglected and forgotten. I believe that understanding our ancient roots and reviving the simplistic customs of our ancestors can help us to once again re align or harmonise with our Earth mother and our Sky father.
A very excellent film, I loved it.
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring as it depicts our heritage and forebears way of life.
Signposts for our future.
Well put John! :) I believe you're right! the customs of our ancestors expresses their refreshing simplistic and magical worldview from which we can learn much today.
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