Kashubs – history,
language, identity.
Location of the Land of
Kashubs in Europe
From the sixth century AD Kashubs inhabit the land
on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea.
The historical boundaries
of Kashubia
Kashubs' homeland spaned almost across entire
Pomerania - From the lower reaches of the Vistula
river in the east, as far as today's German
Vorpommern in the
west and the to the
river Notec in the
south.
The Map of Kashubia
according to G. Labuda
Kashubs between Germans
and Poles
The processes accompanying development of the state and
nation-building activities in Kashubia, in the past, as well
as in the present, are determined by
a close proximity to strong German
and
Polish
influence.
WestPomeranian State with its capital in
Szczecin has survived from the
Middle Ages to the seventeenth
century. On the other hand, EastPomeranian with its capital in
Gdansk enjoyed independence just
one century – XIII.
Swiãtopôłk's Monument
Ethnic boundaries
of today's Kashubia
After the administrative reform carried out in Poland
in 1999, the current ethnic Kashubia found itself
within Pomeranian voivodeship. Kashubs inhabit
9 districts/counties (Pùck,
Wejrowò,
Kòscérzna,
Lãbórg, Stołpskò, Bëtowò,
Człëchòwò, Chònice and
Kartuzë) and the city of
Gduńsk, Gdiniô, Sopòt
and Stołpskò.
The map of the current
ethnic boundaries
Kashubian population
500 000 ? or 238 000 ?
According to sociologists' studies
beginning from 1989 Kashubian
population reaches the number of 500
thousand people. However, in the
census of 2011 Kashubian identity
was declared by 238 thousand people.
Kashubian emigration
It is estimated that about 300 000 Kashubs lives
abroad. Mainly in Canada, USA, Germany and
the UK.
Photo Kashubs from Canada
Economy
Kashubian traditional occupations are farming
and fishing. Tourism also plays an important
role in local business. Small and medium
enterprises are rapidly growing too.
Famous Kashubs
Eric of Pomerania
King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden
Gerard Labuda
Historian
Paul Nipkow
Inventor
Donald Tusk
European Council President
Guenter Grass
Author, Noble Prize winner
Danuta Stenka
Actress
Florión Cenôwa
(Florian Ceynowa)
1817-1881
Father of Kashubian national revival. The creator
of the Kashubian alphabet and author of the first
grammar of the Kashubian language.
Photo F. Ceynowa
Kashubian language
Kashubian language is being spoken today by between
108-200 thousand people. In the census of 2011 108 000
people declared to use the Kashubian language every
day
Table from the book by A. Majewicz
Education
Kashubian language has been taught in the public schools
since 1992. State allocates funds from the budget,
providing educational subsidies to the local governments.
Currently 670 teachers teaches our language, history,
culture and geography three hours per week. Kashubian
language is not a compulsory subject. In 2014 / 2015
school year it is
approx. 18 thousand
students.
Here some photos of kids
in the classroom
Kashubian Ethnophilology
In the academic year 2014/2015 for the first time in the
history 14 students began university level studies on
Kashubian Ethnophilology at the University of Gdansk.
Future teachers, journalists and culture animators are
studying there.
Photo University of Gdansk
Coat of arms, flag
and Kashubian
national anthem
Kashubian coat of arms is black griffin (half lion, half
eagle) on the gold background. Black-and-gold flag takes
the colours from the coat of arms. The words of the
Kashubian national anthem talk about Kashubs'
attachment to their land, language and traditions.
Kashubian flag
Kashubian coat
of arms
The legal status of
Kashubs in Poland
In the Act regarding National and Ethnic Minorities
and Regional Language of 6 January 2005 Kashubs
were referred to as "community using the regional
language." For this, Polish legislation specifically
introduced the term "regional language" and the only
language recognized as such was Kashubian language.
Kashubs were granted the right to protect and develop
their own language, but they were not given full
political rights. Some Kashubian organizations
(including Kaszëbskô Jednota) demand for Kashubs to
be recognised as a national/ethnic minority.
The first Act
on Minorities
Kaszëbskô Jednota is an association which was
registered in the National Court Register in 2011.
The organization brings together people declaring
Kashubian nationality and all those who declare
their willingness to work for the development of
the Kashubian nation. In 2014 the number of
members reached 90 people. To find out more visit
our website www.kaszebsko.com