Neo-Paganism and New
Religious Movements ::
Class Six
Modern Baltic Paganism:
Masaryk University :: Faculty of Arts
Dept. for the Study of Religions
Professor Michael Strmiska :: RLB 502 ::
Neo-Paganism and New Religious
Movements
Lithuanian Romuva Paganism
• This type of Paganism draws
on old Lithuanian texts and
myths, with old folk songs
called dainas the most
complete and important source
of information.
• Lithuania was the last
European kingdom to convert
to Christianity in 1386, and
much of the population
remained Pagan, with result
that folk culture of country
retained many Pagan
elements.
• Romuva is named for an
ancient Pagan sanctuary in
modern-day Kaliningrad
• Modern group first founded in
Lithuania as a folklore
organization in 1967,
suppressed by Soviet
government in 1970s and
1980s, became an openly
religious association in 1989.
• The leaders of modern
Romuva from its inception
have been Jonas Trinkūnas
and his wife Inija Trinkūnienė,
both folk singers who also lead
a pagan-oriented recording
group called Kulgrinda
(meaning “path”).
• Romuva groups are also found
in the USA and Canada
Baltic States today
Baltic Region ~1200
Historical Overview of Lithuania
• Last country in Europe to
become Christian (1386),
hence, Lithuanians often
called “the Last Pagans in
Europe”
• In 13th to 14th centuries,
the Grand Duchy of
Lithuania was one of the
largest states in medieval
Europe, through
conquests or alliances
with Belarus, Ukraine,
and parts of Russia.
• In early 14th century, GDL
was one of most diverse
and tolerant states in
Europe: Pagans,
Christians, Jews and
people of different nations
co-existed.
• In 1387, joined with
Poland to form the
“Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth,” aka
“The Republic of Two
Nations,” one of the
largest states in Europe
until dissolution in 1795
Map of Baltic States in 14th Century showing German Crusader
(Teutonic Knights) conquest of Latvia (Livonia).
Of the Baltic states and tribes, only Lithuania resists, forming
union with Poland in 1386 which crushes the Germans in the
Battle of Grünwald/Zalgiris in 1410.
Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 13th to 15th
centuries, prior to union with Poland
Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth
in 15th Century
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 16th
Century, one of the largest states in Europe
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the “Republic of
Two Nations,” in 17th century at height of power
Further facts about Lithuania
• Lithuania came under
Russian rule from 1795WW
I, after which it was
independent until WW II,
when it was invaded and
occupied by the
USSR…then Nazi
Germany…then the
USSR again.
• During the Nazi period,
Lithuania’s sizable
Jewish was population
nearly wiped out.
• Under Soviet rule,
thousands of Lithuanians
were sent to their death in
the Russian Gulags.
• Lithuania was the first
Soviet Republic to
declare independence, in
1990, setting off chain
reaction and ending the
USSR.
• Lithuania became a
member of NATO and the
European Union in 2004.
Baltic States today
Brief History of Riga, Latvia
• Prior to 11th century, Riga
is village of Pagan Baltic
Latvians on banks of
Daugava (Dvina) where
river meets Baltic Sea.
• From 12th century,
German Christian
Crusaders build up Riga
as German-style castle
and town. Native Latvians
treated as inferior class.
• First record of Riga is
from year 1200.
• In Middle Ages, Riga
prospers as port city and
East-West trading center,
joins Hanseatic League of
German trading cities.
• Prosperous Riga is
conquered by LithuaniaPoland
in 1581, Sweden
in 1621, Russia in 1710.
• By 19th century, Riga is
the 2nd largest city in the
Russian Empire.
Later History of Riga & Latvia
• In 19th century, Riga is
affected by new trend of
nationalism, with rise of of
Latvian Independence
movement. New focus on
Latvian folklore, mythology,
culture.
• After WW I, Latvia becomes
independent state 1918-
1940.
• In 1940, USSR invades
Latvia. Thousands of
unethusiastic Latvians are
killed or deported to gulags.
• In 1941, Nazi Germany
invades. Some Latvians
greet Germans as
liberators. Pro-Soviet
Latvians are killed as are
70,000 Latvian Jews.
• In 1945, the Soviet army
reconquers Latvia. Some
Latvians greet Soviets as
liberators. Pro-German
Latvians are killed or
deported to Gulags.
• In1991, Latvia gains
independence from USSR.
Baltic States today
St. Adalbert (956-997), Bishop of Prague who
conducted missionary activity in Baltic Prussia.
• Adalbert was killed by
native Balts for entering
sacred Pagan groves.
• His fate illustrates how
Baltic Pagans resisted
Christianization for
centuries.
• Eventually, Germanic
Christian knights would
invade and colonize area
in the “Baltic Crusades,”
lasting 1192-1410.
• Only Lithuania would
resist and remain Pagan.
1236: The Battle of Saule
• In 1236, crusading
German knights
attempting to invade
the Grand Duchy of
Lithuania were
crushed by Lithuanian
forces in Saule, which
would later become
the Lithuanian city of
Šiauliai.
National Museum of Lithuania in Vilnius, with statue of 13th
century king, Mindaugas, who converted to Christianity and
was murdered by his subjects, who refused to convert
King Mindaugas (~1203 -1263)
Due to his acceptance of Christianity, Mindaugas
is beloved by modern Lithuanian Catholics; nonChristians
appreciate his efforts to unify Lithuania
Monument to Mindaugas in front of the
National Museum; Castle Hill in background
Reconstructed image of the first Cathedral,
built by Mindaugas in mid-13th century, next
to the oft-rebuilt Cathedral, as it is today
Grand Duke Gediminas:
remembered as a skillful and tolerant ruler
• Gediminas, born 1275,
ruling 1315-1341,founded
the city of Vilnius and its
hilltop castle fortress
based on his dream of an
iron wolf howling on a hill
• He allowed Christians to
settle in Lithuania, but
remained Pagan
• He invited Germans and
others to settle in Vilnius
to help develop city
• Conquered SlavicRussian
lands to east but
avoided war with Mongols
Gediminas’ Importance to Lithuanian Pagans
• If Mindaugas is the
favorite ancient ruler of
the Catholics, Gediminas
is the favorite of the
Pagans for remaining a
Pagan despite pressure
from Christian nations
and Germanic Crusaders
• In letters with the Pope,
he offered conversion as
a possibility, which he
never actually attempted
to implement
• Inside Lithuania, he
permitted both Catholic
and Orthodox Christianity
to coexist alongside
traditional Paganism
• He is therefore known as
an unusually tolerant
leader of the European
Middle Ages, a point of
pride to Lithuanians
• His sons maintained
similar policies
Gediminas castle and monument
Images of Gediminas
Two modern tributes to the Iron Wolf of Gediminas’
dream, which inspired him to undertake the
construction of Vilnius, according to legend
In city of Šiauliai, “Iron Fox” statue is
local parody of Vilnius’ “Iron Wolf”
Gediminas’ Successors:
Algirdas and Kęstutis
Gediminas’ Successors:
Algirdas and Kęstutis
• Two of Gediminas’ sons
shared rule of the Grand
Duchy. Algirdas ruled the
Vilnius region as one
duchy, Kęstutis, the
region of Trakai.
• Algirdas conquered
Russian-Ukrainian lands
to the east, while Kęstutis
protected western
Lithuania from German
Christian attack.
• Kęstutis raised the
possibility of converting to
Christianity to gain allies,
such as Hungary, but he
never did it.
• Algirdas married a
Russian princess who
was Orthodox Christian,
again showing the same
tolerance and diplomatic
astuteness of his father.
Trakai Castle
King Jogaila (Władislaw II Jagiello)
of Poland and Vytautas the Great,
Grand Duke of Lithuania
Lithuanian-Polish King Jogaila
and Grand Duke Vytautas
• The next generation also
divided rule between them.
Jogaila allied with Poland and
became joint king of Poland/
Lithuania by wedding the
Polish princess Jadwiga and
converting in 1386.
• The Polish-Lithuanian alliance
defeated the Teutonic Knights
in 1410.
• Jogaila ruled Poland from
Kraków, while Vytautas ruled
Lithuania.
• Despite his conversion, Jogaila
gave his uncle Kęstutis a
glorious Pagan funeral—even
though he may have had him
killed in a power struggle!
• Vytautas is called “The Great”
for his success in expanding
Lithuania to the east, alliances
with Tatars and others
• He accepted Jews, Tatars and
Karaites into Lithuania, adding
to the diversity and tolerance
of previous rulers.
Monument to Vytautas the Great, in city of
Kaunas, marking his victories over the
Teutonic Knights and others
Map of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, showing
territories acquired by various leaders, and
size relative to modern European countries
Lithuanian Paganism: suppressed, but
not forgotten in Lithuanian history
• By the generation of
Jogaila and Vytautas, all
the rulers of Lithuania
were Christian, and
Christianization of the
country was underway
• However, conversion
seemed half-hearted, and
many Pagan customs
remained alive, especially
in rural areas
• The Polish half of the
Polish-Lithuanian alliance
became dominant, and
the Lithuanian aristocracy
became Polish-speaking
and Catholic in religion
• Lithuanian language, and
Lithuanian Pagan
customs, was consigned
to the lower classes and
the countryside
The19th Century “National Awakening”
• In the 19th century,
Lithuania, like other parts
of Europe, experienced a
new fascination with old
folk customs, tales, songs
and legends, as part of a
new sense of ethnic and
national identity
• Indo-European language
study revealed Lithuanian
had ancient roots,
kindred with Sanskrit
• The Indo-Baltic parallel
was also found to include
Hindu-Pagan parallels in
terms of gods, beliefs,
religious practices
• Artists, writers and
politicians began to
romanticize Lithuania’s
Pagan past
• Summer solstice Rasa
festival revived
• Ancient Daina folk songs
gained new popularity &
prestige
Example of Lithuanian-Sanskrit
(Indo-European) correspondences
• In Sanskrit:
• Devas adadat datas;
Devas dat dhanas.
• In English:
• God gave teeth, God
will give bread.
• In Lithuanian:
• Dievas dave dantis;
Dievas duous
duounos.
Ramuva/Romuva: Lithuanian Paganism
revived secretly, then officially
• In the 1960s, folklore
studies are permitted by
Soviet authorities; Jonas
Trinkūnas collects daina
folk songs in rural areas
• Secretly, he gathers
people to honor old gods
and practice Pagan
rituals like summer
solstice; this is disguised
as strictly folkloric activity,
group named Ramuva
• 1970s, Trinkūnas’ Pagan
activities are discovered;
he is punished, Ramuva
suppressed
• In late1980s, under
Gorbachev’s Glasnost
policy, Ramuva revived;
in 1991, Trinkūnas openly
proclaims religious
purpose, renamed
Romuva, name of
legendary medieval Baltic
sanctuary
The Baltic Way, Singing Protests and
Independence from the USSR
• Lithuania was first Soviet
Socialist Republic to
demand independence,
in 1989. This led to “Baltic
Way” protests across all 3
Baltic states (Lithuania,
Latvia, Estonia) 8/23/99,
on 50th anniversary of
Soviet-Nazi MolotovRibbentrop
agreement,
which led to invasion of
Baltic States in WW II.
• Two million Lithuanians,
Latvians, and Estonians
formed a human chain
across the 600 km length
of the three Baltic States,
singing traditional folk
songs banned under
Soviet rule
• This “Singing Revolution,”
inspired other republics to
seek to leave the USSR,
with end of USSR in 1991
“The Singing Revolution:” folk song protest across the
Baltic States in August, 1989 (three months before Berlin
Wall protests). Two million people formed a human chain
across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to sing forbidden
traditional songs in protest of Soviet rule.
Acceptance and Consolidation
of the Romuva Movement
• In the euphoria of the
successful struggle for
independence, Romuva
gained exalted status as
a symbol of traditional
Lithuanian culture, and its
numbers swelled
• Trinkūnas served in the
Ministry of Ethnic Culture
and received many
awards for his folkloric
activities
• Trinkūnas and wife Inija
formed folk music group,
Kulgrinda, to perform
Pagan folk music, a
musical extension of
Romuva that helps
promote the movement
• In summer of 1998,
Trinkūnas calls together
Pagan groups across
Europe and beyond for
“World Pagan Congress”,
soon renamed WCER
Romuva ritual. Romuva leader Jonas Trinkūnas
receiving Grand Duke Gediminas award from the
President of Lithuania in 2013.
Jonas Trinkūnas (1939-2014), head of Lithuanian
Pagan movement Romuva. Home in Vilnius, 2004.
Jonas’ wife, folk singer and
sociologist Inija Trinkunienė 2004.
Jonas Trinkunas and Tourist. 2004.
Relationship of Romuva to Lithuanian Society
• Many travel guides or
articles about Lithuania
call it a “Catholic nation”
due to the predominance
of the Catholic church.
• How then to explain the
popularity and influence
of Romuva, an explicitly
Pagan movement?
• People relate to Romuva
on many levels besides
“religion” per se
• (1) It is respected, even
among Christians, as a
keeper of old Lithuanian
traditions & identity; in
this sense, Paganism is
understood as patriotic!
• (2) Romuva runs summer
“folklore camps” that are
open to all, Christian,
Pagan or other
• (3) Summer Solstice
“Rasos” festival likewise
open to all, not just
Pagan, has Christian
form too, “Jonines”
Relationship of Romuva to Lithuanian Society (2)
• As Lithuanian culture is
quite saturated with
folklore, Romuva’s
function as a preserver of
folkloric traditions is
highly respected
• Trinkūnas and his wife
Inija, who has now
succeeded him as leader
of Romuva, are respected
as folklore scholars, as is
their folkloric musical
group Kulgrinda, which
performs internationally
• Many young people in
their teens or twenties
attend the folklore camps
or join Kulgrinda or
similar groups as a kind
of folkloric “rite of
passage”
• Kulgrinda serves as a
very effective proponent
of Lithuanian folklore and
Paganism, and has been
open to blending in other
musical styles from rock
to electronica
Beyond Romuva and Kulgrinda: The
“Paganesque” in Lithuanian Culture
• For some, Romuva
functions as a religion,
and Kulgrinda’s songs
are sacred music
• But not everyone relates
to the two with such a
strong degree of devotion
• For many Lithuanians,
Paganism and its folkloric
roots and cultural
branches add a pleasing
accent or atmosphere to
life, not a “religion” per se
• Experienced in this way,
Lithuanian Paganism is
more decorative than
devotional, less “Pagan”
than “Paganesque,” a
cultural element with
religio-spiritual and folkhistorical
overtones, but
not necessarily explicitly
“religious”
• Paganism can thus be a
gateway to spirituality or
just a reassuring marker
of past traditions—or both
The Crafty Side of Baltic Paganism
• The connection to
ethnic folklore and
folk crafts inspires
many Pagans to
make, or collect folk
art objects from
jewelry to tapestries
to medieval-style
clothes to swords,
which a lot of Pagan
guys seem to like.
• The belts/sashes
below woven by Inese
Krumina of Latvian
Pagan group Vilki,
using traditional
Latvian designs
Latvian Paganism
• Latvia has a culture and
history similar to
Lithuania, and parallel
Pagan traditions that
have given rise to modern
Pagan movements
• These include Dievturi
and Vilki, as noted in my
articles
• I came to know Inese
Krumina, a Latvian Pagan
priestess in 2002, and
have been friends since
• She started in Dievturi,
formed a new group Vilki
(wolves), that also
recorded traditional
Latvian songs with Pagan
elements, later left Vilki,
now an independent
teacher and healer
• She is a weaver of
traditional Latvian textiles
with Pagan symbolic
patterns of great
antiquity, pre-literacy in
Latvia
Pagan-Inspired or “Paganeseque”
Latvian Music and Culture
• As in Lithuania,
Paganism has found
strong expression among
folk musicians, many of
whom have moved
beyond recreating old
styles to create new
forms of “Neo-folk” music
• Two of the most
important are Ilgi and
Skyforger
• Ilgi is a “post-folkloric”
band (in their phrase) that
is led by Ilga Reizniece,
classically-trained violinist
and composer; they have
made CDs of summer
and winter solstice songs,
traditional wedding
songs, also originals
• Skyforger is a heavymetal
band that uses folk
and historical elements
Stelmuze, ancient oak tree sacred
to Pagans, Stelmužės ąžuolas.
Kernavė, site of prehistoric settlements and
medieval fortresses of Lithuanian rulers. Sacred to
Pagans and Christians alike, Rasos/Jonines
annual summer solstice festival held on these hills.
Summer solstice Rasos festival at Kernavė, view
of traditional gateway decorated with folk symbols
(my own photos from June,1998, during World Pagan Congress).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdU3-ru7sKs
Pagan ritual in Lithuania
Kūlgrinda: Lithuanian folk music band,
Paganesque extension of Pagan religious
group Romuva.
In center: Jonas Trinkūnas and wife Inija
Ilģi: Latvian folk music group led by
Ilga Reizniece (violin)
Tadas Šidiskis, another Romuva leader in Lithuania
Young Lithuanian woman with
flower wreath at Rasa summer
solstice festival, June 2008
Dancing around the sun-wheel
Lithuanian Pagans also celebrate the
winter solstice. December, 2008.
American Members of Lithuanian Pagan group Romuva
outside Chicago, summer solstice, 2002.
Janis and Inese Krumina, leaders of male and female sections of
Latvian Pagan group called Vilki (Wolves). (Here, they struggle to
maintain human form.) Outside Riga, Latvia, 2002.
Janis pauses to pray at sacred oak
tree. March, 2002.
Laughter after I asked Inese if the vicious
dog was the leader of Vilki (Wolves). 2002.
Inese leading summer solstice
ritual, Latvia 2008
Clothes, jewelry, candles, instruments all created
by these Latvian Pagans
Lithuanian crosses with Pagan motifs
(sun, moon, snakes)
The Musical Side of Paganism
The revival of Paganism as
a religion has gone handin-hand
with a revival of
Scandinavian and Baltic
folk music, sometimes
called Neofolk Music.
In Lithuania, Kulgrinda is an
outgrowth of the Romuva
Pagan movement. They
perform traditional
Lithuanian folk songs with
religious meaning.
In Latvia, the band Ilgi
performs traditional and
new folk music, often with
mythological elements.
In Sweden, the band
Hedningarna (The
Heathens) does much the
same.
The Latvian Pagan
movement Vilki (Wolves)
has released CDs of
men’s and women’s folk
songs.
Kulgrinda, folk-music ensemble
grown out of Romuva movement,
led by Jonas and Inija Trinkunas.
Cover of Kulgrinda CD, Rite of Fire,
2004. The swastika-like symbol is
traditional Lithuanian, not Nazi.
Latvian band Ilgi. The woman is the boss:
Ilga Rezneice. http://www.ilgi.lv/index.php
Ilgi CD, Seji Veju “Sow the Wind.”
Note the instrument: a traditional Latvian kokles,
like a zither.
Ilgi Cd, Speleju Dancoju. “I Played and I Danced.”
Musical version of poems by a leading Latvian
poet.
Latvian Pagan movement Vilki (Wolves) also has a
musical group. Here is a photo from a CD.
Vilki’s male division plays traditional Latvian war songs
from the 10th -13th century, when Latvian Pagans fought
against Christian Crusaders. Here is a Vilki CD.
Vilki’s female branch Vilcenes
plays traditional women’s songs.
Vilcenes CD: Karavīra līgaviņa
(Bride of the Warrior).
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia 1999-2006, is
also a scholar of Latvian folklore and folk music. Here is a
CD of traditional songs she selected….and sang.
• From the record company:
“Latvian folksongs selected
and sung by the former Latvian
president and folklore
researcher Vaira VīķeFreiberga.
This is a very
personal selection of folk
songs that have been sung by
V. Vīķe-Freiberga’s mother
and on special occasions. The
songs have been arranged by
the reknown Latvian musician
and ethno-musicologist Valdis
Muktupāvels. “
• http://www.lauska.lv/pages/eng
lish/products.php
Pagan-oriented Festival,
Menuo Juodaragis (Horn of the Black Moon)
• The XVI edition of Mėnuo
Juodaragis is blowing horns
again, summoning to the burning
altar under Great Oak at Zarasai
lake island, Northern Lithuania.
Traditionally MJR will celebrate
the last days of Summer – August
23-25, 2013. And this year the
festival will be very Baltic in
essence, sharing the ancient
mythologies, history and most
original contemporary arts. Three
days and nights of spellbinding
neo-folk, post-folk, ethnic and
alternative music, ancient crafts,
lectures, films, eco-art and lots of
friendly partying – its your best
chance to know what Baltic really
means! Be welcome!
Two Faces of Paganism:
Ethnic vs. Spiritual Dimensions
• For some Pagans, the
most important thing is
preserving and
continuing ethnic
identity and ethnic folk
culture, of which religion
is just one part.
• This side of Paganism is
most concerned with
accurate reconstruction of
folklore, ties in with ethnic
nationalism and is
sometimes associated
with racist attitudes.
• For some Pagans, ethnic
folk traditions and folk
culture are only the
gateway to deeper
spiritual experience,
which transcends racialtribal-ethnic
differences.
• This more purely spiritual
side of Paganism is more
open to ideas of universal
spirituality across the
earth, and embraces
multiculturalism.
And so…
• Modern Baltic
Paganism therefore
has many dimensions
and is truly multi-
faceted.
• Some relate to it as
ethnic folk traditions:
even Christians can
do so..
• Some relate to it as
music: even your
i-Pod/Pad/Phone can.
• Some relate to it as
an expression of
national and ethnic
identity: many
Latvians and
Lithuanians do so.
• Some relate to it as a
spiritual path, and find
deep meaning in its
gods, myths, rituals,
songs.
Romuva hosting World Congress of
Ethnic Religions, June, 1998
Fire ritual. Prayers, songs and offerings around fire.
June 1998. Romuva members plus others,
during World Congress of Ethnic Religions.
Romuva summer solstice Rasa
festival. Kernave, Lithuania, 1998
Latvian woman preparing traditional wreath
at Rasa summer solstice in Lithuania, 1998.
Jonas Trinkunas leader of Romuva,
and wife Inija perform fire ritual
WORLD CONGRESS OF ETHNIC RELIGIONS
Official Symbols of World Congress
of Ethnic Religions, est. 1998 in
Vilnius, Lithuania
Jonas and Inija Trinkunas, March
2009, home in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Rasa Summer Solstice Festival in Lithuania, June 1998.
Symbolic structure in traditional design.
Wheel-shapes refer to the sun.
Early painting of three Lithuanian deities: Dievas, highest
god; Perkunas, thunder god; Velnias, god of the dead.
Vilnius’s main cathedral: originally a Pagan temple, destroyed/rebuilt by
both Pagans and Christians. Romuva has petitioned to be allowed to
perform rituals in the basement, where Pagan altars have been found
by archaeologists. The Catholic church has refused the request.
Romuva Winter Solstice, Vilnius, 2008
Arriving
Building the fire
Blowing the horn
Drumming
Singing
All together now.