Since ancient neighbors of the Slavs, the Lithuanians have fought against them, over the centuries, courageous and obstinate struggles, and since the century. XI to XV they maintained their own state individuality. Following the union of Lithuania with Poland, they suffered strong influences from Western civilization. Around 1700 the population was so decimated by wars and epidemics that a massive German colonization in the western region further accentuated the transformation of the ancient national culture. Agriculture was perfected on the model of the German estates, while the national agricultural tools remained completely primitive. iava), the end of agricultural work is celebrated with banquets and dances. In contrast to the regular village constructions, prevalent in the century. XVI, has shown itself, from the middle of the century. XIX, the trend towards scattered locations, which has produced an ever-increasing number of isolated farms throughout the eastern part of Lithuania. In the central area there are still many small villages of noble origin, which derive from the ancient social organization for families. The farms consist of living rooms, warehouse, cellar, the ancient kitchen which also serves as a workplace, the bathroom, the barn with or without drying room and the stable. In the western region these constructions are arranged, according to the Franconian custom in regular farms with the kitchen at the entrance, which has a room on one side and a bedroom or stable on the other. In the eastern region, houses with chimneys predominate. The kitchen seems to have been derived from the old one-room house with a smoke hole in the ceiling. The furnishings of the house, the way of dressing and the manual skills are very similar to those of the Latvians: some peculiarities that are found in the way of dressing are rather regional than national. Villages and regions differ in ornamentation and in the choice of embroidery colors, etc. Popular festivals are connected with work; so for the fertilization in June, the mowing of the hay, the harvest and especially the linen equipment in the autumn, which seems to have replaced an ancient winter festival of immolation and offering. Villages and regions differ in ornamentation and in the choice of embroidery colors, etc. Popular festivals are connected with work; so for the fertilization in June, the mowing of the hay, the harvest and especially the linen equipment in the autumn, which seems to have replaced an ancient winter festival of immolation and offering. Villages and regions differ in ornamentation and in the choice of embroidery colors, etc. Popular festivals are connected with work; so for the fertilization in June, the mowing of the hay, the harvest and especially the linen equipment in the autumn, which seems to have replaced an ancient winter festival of immolation and offering. For Lithuania 2007, please check extrareference.com.
In carnival and for the feast of St. John, the most popular entertainment is the swing. On the feast of St. John, large torches are also burned on the hills, and the animals are led to pasture adorned with crowns. Popular beliefs are mixed with ancient conceptions, not far from the tradition of the thundering god Perkunas. Many of these conceptions correspond to German folklore: p. eg., witches and wizards, kobolds and gnomes). Snakes, salamanders and toads seem to play a particularly important role in this field. Trees are considered sacred. In former times, the debarker was threatened with the extraction of the viscera.
In wedding celebrations, a young man in costume takes a ride on horseback to invite guests. The bride first pretends to resist the other women who accompany her into the barn (kl ė tis) intended to serve as a bridal apartment and in which she is cheerfully seated on a chair. Relatives of the fiance then put the feminine ornaments on her head after having untied her hair with accompaniment of dances and songs. Upon arriving home, the fiancé tries to jump to the seat of honor located at the front door.
The ornaments of the tombs – crosses and planks with inscriptions – were in the past made only of wood.
