I am a Lithuanian American and last year I started studying Lithuanian mythology. I will come (my family was in USA for over 100 years) to Lithuania after the pandemic and practice Romuva.
Please learn Lithuanian language too. It's frustrating when in any Lithuanian event presenters have to speak in English just to satisfy few foreigners in the crowd. Romuva is all about Lithuanians and language is essential. Hopefully those, who want to participate will be keen to learn the language and not only how to say: "labas, ačiū, viso gero".
@@Kamane-bee I am working on learning Lithuanian. I am teaching my kids a few words and phrases a week. So much easier feeling to form over English.....like English so clunky
I am mexican who just arrived to Lithuania for the second time. Lithuania is my true home, I love this place, these people I'm surrounded. I prayed a lot to be here. And I am so proud of Lithuanian culture
My grandparents are from Žemaitija. I have cousins there with the same great grandparents. Thanks for this video. I would like to see more about the myths and religion of Lietuva when you have time.
Very interesting stories from the past cultures ! Tell us more about the history of early religions . I do believe that people around the world are looking for something new to believe in. Maybe it’s something really old that will become new all over again! Thanks for sharing this with us out here in south Alabama USA ☮️❤️
Вітаю! Мої родичі походять з Литви, але я живу в Україні. Мене дуже захоплює литовська міфологія та стара релігія. Чи можете порекомендувати книги на цю тему якою завгодно мовою які можна купити на Амазон? Дякую.
I haven't read any, but the sources I've read online often quote the literary scientist A. J. Greimas, who wrote a book Of Gods and Men: Studies in Lithuanian Mythology. I've read other works of his before, he can be very difficult to read, but he's good 🙂
Great Review of the Lithuanian Deities! I am waiting for more clips or even longer projects from your channel. I was very impressed by the Sculptures you showed. Is each sculpture a unique piece or is there a tradition to make sculptures of mythological deities? Is there a book on Lithuanian mythology? I am well familiar with Marija Gimbutas the amazing Lithuanian archeologist who did so much for the archeology of Old Europe[Thrace, Illyria, Greece, Crete and the Italic peninsula].
Thank you! About the sculptures: there is a tradition to make sculptures of deities, but every artist has their own interpretation of how they should look of course, so all the sculptures are different. There are some books about Lithuanian mythology. For example 'Of Gods and Men: Studies in Lithuanian Mythology' by Algirdas J. Greimas
Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge about theese culture. Do you know whether or not ther eare some historiagrapers digging in Lithuanian soil in order to get som evidences from their past ages ??
There had been a lot of archeological excavations all around the country, they were mostly done at hill forts or mounds. Recently I didn't hear of any excavations going on, but maybe there is some. Also it is not uncommon that construction workers find some ruins underground
Romuva originates from the Baltic religious tradition which is comprised of the religious heritage of Lithuanians, Latvians and Prussians. The formation of this common Baltic spiritual heritage began in the very distant Indo-European past. Baltic, or Aestian, culture appeared as distinct in the second millennium BCE. The common Baltic religious centre Romuva with its leading cleric titled Krivis was founded in Rickoyott in 521. Later other important regional Baltic religious centres called Romuvas emerged in different Baltic lands, including Lithuania. One of the most important centres of the Baltic faith was flourishing since time immemorial in the valley of Šventaragis (Holy-horn) in Vilnius. Since 1250, this centre was reformed by the will of Grand Duke Šventaragis and it became the central Baltic sanctuary in Lithuania. As the religious institutions of the Baltic faith in Lithuania started to be destroyed as part of the Christian efforts, the religious practice less and less influenced by Vaidilas was gradually focused on communal and individual cults and it was nourished up to the 20th century by means of ethnic traditions passed from generation to generation in this form. At the beginning of the 20th century, the significant value of Romuva and the Baltic faith was recognised in the works by Vydūnas. In the light of the ideas of J. Basanavičius, J. G. Beržauskis-Klausutis and others, the institutions of the Baltic faith were re-established in the pre-war independent Lithuania: the community of Romuva (public-spirited persons) was formed in 1930 and it was active until 1940, while the community of Ramuva was founded in 1967 and it was only in 1992 that Romuva was officially registered as a Baltic faith community for the first time. Romuva communities are active in the USA and Canada. At the end of 2001, three communities of the ancient Baltic faith from Vilnius, Kaunas and Molėtai officially merged into the Community of the Ancient Baltic Religion, though, in fact, these communities have been working in cooperation for ten years prior to that. All leading Krivis and Vaidilas who participated noticeably in the spiritual unification of the Baltic peoples on the religious basis and in nourishing the ancient Baltic faith are recognised as spiritual leaders of the Community of the Ancient Baltic Religion. Krivis of the Community Jonas Trinkūnas served as the spiritual leader of the Romuva religious community since 1967. In 2014, Inija Trinkūnienė was elected as the female Krivis of Romuva. Over the ages, various attempts were made to suppress the ancient Baltic faith and to terminate its practices. During the pre-war period of the Republic of Lithuania, the recognition of Romuva as an institution was halted by the Catholic Church, which had a considerable influence on both the political life and the government at that time. During the Soviet period, Romuva had to conceal its religious aspirations. Still, active Romuvians were repressed. It is only in the independent Lithuania that the communities of Romuva gained official recognition as religious communities. However, the union of the communities of Romuva, i.e. the Community of the Ancient Baltic Religion formed on 11 November 2001, is not fully recognised even today. The spiritual needs of people of our faith are met in neither secondary schools nor the Lithuanian army. The Ancient Baltic religion is a living unity of spiritual experiences and knowledge which satisfies the relevant needs of members of the community. It is a shifting and adaptive combination. The main historical shifts in the religious doctrine of the Baltic faith are covered most comprehensively in “Religious Reforms of the Balts” by G. Beresnevičius (1995) and “The Worldview of the Ancient Balts” by N. Vėlius (1983). The fostering of doctrines of the faith is currently in the hands of the Circle of Vaidilas and Krivulė.
I think that Dalia is just a different name for Laima, their duties are the same. Most sources only mention goddess Laima, sometimes the names are used as synonyms.
Before organized religions conquered spiritual space,it was a personal experiece- eternal spiritual path.Fire is a symbol of spirituality.Oldest spiritual heritage of man is rgveda.It starts with the word "fire".
I though the Goddess of Fate was Dalia, the middle sister? There seems to be a lot of variation with the names of the three sisters and their roles or titles.
This seems so interesting, and the lady has a very nice voice. However, I understand about a half of what is said. May I ask why the lady does not speak her language with subtitles instead?
There are a lot of parallels between the horrors that the crusaders/Sword Brothers/Teutonic order/Catholic Church worked on the Balts and the activities of the colonists in the Americas. Both endemic belief systems survived efforts to exterminate them and are now enjoying revivals. These “pagan superstitions” offer hope for values that will save Mother Earth from our own greed.
As a Latvian and Pagan. Yes, Dievturība is a modern reconstruction/movement it began in the late 1800s. When we Latvians were still under the Russian/German Impires. Latvia's Independence movement began strongly then and it was important to save as much of Latvian culture, beliefs, and traditions as possible. Apart from that movement were Dievturība and Baltic Paganism. Though all of Dievturība is based on thousands of years old Baltic Paganism, customs, beliefs, traditions, sacred writings, folkways, and folklore. Much of the Dievturība rituals and procedures are in fact modern reconstructions. Sadly, the Christian Crusaders of the 13th century erased that information from Latvian people. We remembered the "Old Beliefs" but have forgotten how our ancestors practiced them in a formal setting.
Hallo 🙋♂️ I am a german pagan from the Baltic Sea coast and was fooled by the German 😊 History books, which are of course Christian and after the Second World War and the loss of my homeland in East Prussia, everything is of course presented a little differently than it really was. Now, at 61, I have only just discovered the secret of the Amber Road and that we used to be a connected empire that even the North Vikings were afraid of. We inspired their shipbuilding and not the other way around. It becomes clear what it has been about for 10,000 years and why Christianity is still used as a devastating weapon against us today, we should never find to each other again and keep on fighting so we will never ever find out the real Truth about us… 😢😎🐺
Damn and I thought being Irish was sad. But nah, other Europeans were christianized even more recently and they also didn't fucking bother worth a damn to actually fucking write down their mythology like civilized people.
Not really sure which period of Baltic Paganism you are talking about, but... Laumė wasn't a god/godess. Laumės were mythical creatures, initially portrayed as humanoid goats, or women with the head of a goad and long breasts. They were said to be very scary, as they were considered malicious. At which point did people transform these scary and ugly mythical beasts into a single godess, I am unsure... Also, was Velnias REALLY called "Velinas" at some point? You should probably mention both his names then ("Velinas" and "Velnias").
there is no surviving documents that would describe baltic paganism, only the objects of worship that survived in folklore. the rituals are all made up by Romuva sect during soviet occupation, to weaken the influence of Christianity. you just need to remember that all religions were persecuted in soviet era, but romuva could spread its made up things actually destroying the real fragments of paganism that could be preserved.
@@mathish1477it’s probably similar. Perkūnas is the main god and controls thunder (like zeus), although he never became a devil, at least not that i’ve heard of
All living things including humans are created by a supreme energy ie god, when created creatures gods wishes , energy and some divine power also included ..so we Hindus worship all living things created by gods
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
I am a Lithuanian American and last year I started studying Lithuanian mythology. I will come (my family was in USA for over 100 years) to Lithuania after the pandemic and practice Romuva.
Same story(of course different) but hello family
Please learn Lithuanian language too. It's frustrating when in any Lithuanian event presenters have to speak in English just to satisfy few foreigners in the crowd. Romuva is all about Lithuanians and language is essential. Hopefully those, who want to participate will be keen to learn the language and not only how to say: "labas, ačiū, viso gero".
@@Kamane-bee I am working on learning Lithuanian. I am teaching my kids a few words and phrases a week. So much easier feeling to form over English.....like English so clunky
@@Kamane-bee Naturally.
Ditto 1890
My origins also from žemaitiya. Kind of proud to have ancestors who held out so long. Nice video Ačiu! 🇺🇸🇱🇹
I am mexican who just arrived to Lithuania for the second time. Lithuania is my true home, I love this place, these people I'm surrounded. I prayed a lot to be here. And I am so proud of Lithuanian culture
My grandparents are from Žemaitija. I have cousins there with the same great grandparents. Thanks for this video. I would like to see more about the myths and religion of Lietuva when you have time.
Very interesting stories from the past cultures ! Tell us more about the history of early religions . I do believe that people around the world are looking for something new to believe in. Maybe it’s something really old that will become new all over again! Thanks for sharing this with us out here in south Alabama USA ☮️❤️
What a nice channel! I lived 3 months in Vilnius and I loved it! Looking forward to come back!
Great video! Can't help but notice many similarities with slavic native religion, especially the names. Keep it up!
There are only two deties in Slavic mytology related to Baltic ones - Perun and Veles. The rest are of Iranian origin.
slav 'cultures' are built on stolen everything. mostly from us. they're not original europeans, unlike us.
Even those are knock-offs
Thank you, this was very interesting would love to learn more
Really interesting! Thanks for the great video!
Sveiki love from india 🇮🇳❤️🇱🇹
Thank you for preserving our seers contributions 🙏 dievi tev smaida ❤ together as one all vedic Pagans.
Вітаю! Мої родичі походять з Литви, але я живу в Україні. Мене дуже захоплює литовська міфологія та стара релігія. Чи можете порекомендувати книги на цю тему якою завгодно мовою які можна купити на Амазон? Дякую.
Teodoras NARBUTAS Aivaras Lileikis Jūratė Statkute -Rosales🇱🇹❤🇺🇦
Very nice video, by any chance do you know if there is any good book about Lithuanian mythology in English?
I haven't read any, but the sources I've read online often quote the literary scientist A. J. Greimas, who wrote a book Of Gods and Men: Studies in Lithuanian Mythology. I've read other works of his before, he can be very difficult to read, but he's good 🙂
Great Review of the Lithuanian Deities! I am waiting for more clips or even longer projects from your channel. I was very impressed by the Sculptures you showed. Is each sculpture a unique piece or is there a tradition to make sculptures of mythological deities? Is there a book on Lithuanian mythology? I am well familiar with Marija Gimbutas the amazing Lithuanian archeologist who did so much for the archeology of Old Europe[Thrace, Illyria, Greece, Crete and the Italic peninsula].
Thank you! About the sculptures: there is a tradition to make sculptures of deities, but every artist has their own interpretation of how they should look of course, so all the sculptures are different. There are some books about Lithuanian mythology. For example 'Of Gods and Men: Studies in Lithuanian Mythology' by Algirdas J. Greimas
Thank you. Very interesting video. I really enjoyed your video 🌺
Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge about theese culture. Do you know whether or not ther eare some historiagrapers digging in Lithuanian soil in order to get som evidences from their past ages ??
There had been a lot of archeological excavations all around the country, they were mostly done at hill forts or mounds. Recently I didn't hear of any excavations going on, but maybe there is some. Also it is not uncommon that construction workers find some ruins underground
Romuva originates from the Baltic religious tradition which is comprised of the religious heritage of Lithuanians, Latvians and Prussians. The formation of this common Baltic spiritual heritage began in the very distant Indo-European past. Baltic, or Aestian, culture appeared as distinct in the second millennium BCE. The common Baltic religious centre Romuva with its leading cleric titled Krivis was founded in Rickoyott in 521. Later other important regional Baltic religious centres called Romuvas emerged in different Baltic lands, including Lithuania. One of the most important centres of the Baltic faith was flourishing since time immemorial in the valley of Šventaragis (Holy-horn) in Vilnius. Since 1250, this centre was reformed by the will of Grand Duke Šventaragis and it became the central Baltic sanctuary in Lithuania. As the religious institutions of the Baltic faith in Lithuania started to be destroyed as part of the Christian efforts, the religious practice less and less influenced by Vaidilas was gradually focused on communal and individual cults and it was nourished up to the 20th century by means of ethnic traditions passed from generation to generation in this form.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the significant value of Romuva and the Baltic faith was recognised in the works by Vydūnas. In the light of the ideas of J. Basanavičius, J. G. Beržauskis-Klausutis and others, the institutions of the Baltic faith were re-established in the pre-war independent Lithuania: the community of Romuva (public-spirited persons) was formed in 1930 and it was active until 1940, while the community of Ramuva was founded in 1967 and it was only in 1992 that Romuva was officially registered as a Baltic faith community for the first time. Romuva communities are active in the USA and Canada. At the end of 2001, three communities of the ancient Baltic faith from Vilnius, Kaunas and Molėtai officially merged into the Community of the Ancient Baltic Religion, though, in fact, these communities have been working in cooperation for ten years prior to that.
All leading Krivis and Vaidilas who participated noticeably in the spiritual unification of the Baltic peoples on the religious basis and in nourishing the ancient Baltic faith are recognised as spiritual leaders of the Community of the Ancient Baltic Religion.
Krivis of the Community Jonas Trinkūnas served as the spiritual leader of the Romuva religious community since 1967.
In 2014, Inija Trinkūnienė was elected as the female Krivis of Romuva.
Over the ages, various attempts were made to suppress the ancient Baltic faith and to terminate its practices. During the pre-war period of the Republic of Lithuania, the recognition of Romuva as an institution was halted by the Catholic Church, which had a considerable influence on both the political life and the government at that time. During the Soviet period, Romuva had to conceal its religious aspirations. Still, active Romuvians were repressed. It is only in the independent Lithuania that the communities of Romuva gained official recognition as religious communities. However, the union of the communities of Romuva, i.e. the Community of the Ancient Baltic Religion formed on 11 November 2001, is not fully recognised even today.
The spiritual needs of people of our faith are met in neither secondary schools nor the Lithuanian army.
The Ancient Baltic religion is a living unity of spiritual experiences and knowledge which satisfies the relevant needs of members of the community. It is a shifting and adaptive combination. The main historical shifts in the religious doctrine of the Baltic faith are covered most comprehensively in “Religious Reforms of the Balts” by G. Beresnevičius (1995) and “The Worldview of the Ancient Balts” by N. Vėlius (1983). The fostering of doctrines of the faith is currently in the hands of the Circle of Vaidilas and Krivulė.
Loved it
Lithuanian mythology in Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_mythology
I would love more info
I need info about the goddess of fate Dalia.. Please
I think that Dalia is just a different name for Laima, their duties are the same. Most sources only mention goddess Laima, sometimes the names are used as synonyms.
It was three sisters: Laima, Giltine, Dalia
Before organized religions conquered spiritual space,it was a personal experiece- eternal spiritual path.Fire is a symbol of spirituality.Oldest spiritual heritage of man is rgveda.It starts with the word "fire".
Zhemyna is obviously the equivalent of the Thracian Semele.
I though the Goddess of Fate was Dalia, the middle sister? There seems to be a lot of variation with the names of the three sisters and their roles or titles.
@@sxnap3480 Thank you for taking time out to explain this for me
This seems so interesting, and the lady has a very nice voice. However, I understand about a half of what is said. May I ask why the lady does not speak her language with subtitles instead?
There are a lot of parallels between the horrors that the crusaders/Sword Brothers/Teutonic order/Catholic Church worked on the Balts and the activities of the colonists in the Americas. Both endemic belief systems survived efforts to exterminate them and are now enjoying revivals. These “pagan superstitions” offer hope for values that will save Mother Earth from our own greed.
Dievturība? Is this a modern reconstruction?
As a Latvian and Pagan. Yes, Dievturība is a modern reconstruction/movement it began in the late 1800s. When we Latvians were still under the Russian/German Impires. Latvia's Independence movement began strongly then and it was important to save as much of Latvian culture, beliefs, and traditions as possible. Apart from that movement were Dievturība and Baltic Paganism. Though all of Dievturība is based on thousands of years old Baltic Paganism, customs, beliefs, traditions, sacred writings, folkways, and folklore. Much of the Dievturība rituals and procedures are in fact modern reconstructions. Sadly, the Christian Crusaders of the 13th century erased that information from Latvian people. We remembered the "Old Beliefs" but have forgotten how our ancestors practiced them in a formal setting.
Hallo 🙋♂️
I am a german pagan from the Baltic Sea coast and was fooled by the German 😊 History books, which are of course Christian and after the Second World War and the loss of my homeland in East Prussia, everything is of course presented a little differently than it really was. Now, at 61, I have only just discovered the secret of the Amber Road and that we used to be a connected empire that even the North Vikings were afraid of. We inspired their shipbuilding and not the other way around. It becomes clear what it has been about for 10,000 years and why Christianity is still used as a devastating weapon against us today, we should never find to each other again and keep on fighting so we will never ever find out the real Truth about us… 😢😎🐺
Damn and I thought being Irish was sad. But nah, other Europeans were christianized even more recently and they also didn't fucking bother worth a damn to actually fucking write down their mythology like civilized people.
I havent been back to Lithuania for 10 years, I should go back and reconnect with the pagan faith.
Not really sure which period of Baltic Paganism you are talking about, but... Laumė wasn't a god/godess. Laumės were mythical creatures, initially portrayed as humanoid goats, or women with the head of a goad and long breasts. They were said to be very scary, as they were considered malicious. At which point did people transform these scary and ugly mythical beasts into a single godess, I am unsure...
Also, was Velnias REALLY called "Velinas" at some point? You should probably mention both his names then ("Velinas" and "Velnias").
Same Nissa ice cragre
julia is that you?
da klingelt etwas sehr in mir...mein Pap ist von Stolp...liegt nicht weit weg ...phuu
there is no surviving documents that would describe baltic paganism, only the objects of worship that survived in folklore. the rituals are all made up by Romuva sect during soviet occupation, to weaken the influence of Christianity. you just need to remember that all religions were persecuted in soviet era, but romuva could spread its made up things actually destroying the real fragments of paganism that could be preserved.
I wonder if Perkunas is the same as Perkelee in Finland? Perkelee before Christianity was a God, then he became the devil under Christian influence.
@Владимир Янушаускас sorry this wont translate for me
@@mathish1477it’s probably similar. Perkūnas is the main god and controls thunder (like zeus), although he never became a devil, at least not that i’ve heard of
In hinduism its parjyana
@@aiste8099and Zeus have almost all same characteristics with Hinduism "Indra"
Guys just google the name of the original indo-european god and It's pronounciation
Interesting content but nerving monotnous music in the background.
All living things including humans are created by a supreme energy ie god, when created creatures gods wishes , energy and some divine power also included ..so we Hindus worship all living things created by gods
the girl should stick to lithuanian language. it is imposible to listen this accent omg
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Basiclly this same as Slavic. Just some names as different and some identical.
No wonder - Slavs are a split from peripheral Baltic tribes, who migrated south and mixed with Iranian tribes.
they were all Pagans.
😱