The Kursenieki ( lv, kursenieki, kāpenieki, german: Kuren – 'Curonians'; lt, kuršiai; pl, Kuronowie pruscy – 'Prussian Curonians') are a nearly extinct
Baltic
Baltic may refer to:
Peoples and languages
*Baltic languages, a subfamily of Indo-European languages, including Lithuanian, Latvian and extinct Old Prussian
*Balts (or Baltic peoples), ethnic groups speaking the Baltic languages and/or originatin ...
ethnic group living along the
Curonian Spit
The Curonian (Courish) Spit ( lt, Kuršių nerija; russian: Ку́ршская коса́ (Kurshskaya kosa); german: Kurische Nehrung, ; lv, Kuršu kāpas) is a long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Balti ...
. "Kuršiai" refers only to inhabitants of
Lithuania and former
East Prussia that speak a southwestern dialect of
Latvian. Some autochthonous inhabitants of
Šventoji in
Lithuania call themselves "kuršiai" as well.
Confusion
Kursenieki are often confused with the extinct
Curonian Baltic tribe, as neighbouring ethnic groups called Kuršininkai/Kursenieki as ''Curonians'': in
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
,
Latvian and
Lithuanian
Lithuanian may refer to:
* Lithuanians
* Lithuanian language
* The country of Lithuania
* Grand Duchy of Lithuania
* Culture of Lithuania
* Lithuanian cuisine
* Lithuanian Jews as often called "Lithuanians" (''Lita'im'' or ''Litvaks'') by other Jew ...
, Kursenieki and the Curonian tribes are known by the same terms (''Kuren'', ''kurši'' and ''kuršiai'' respectively). In scientific Lithuanian literature, the name ''kuršininkai'' is used to distinguish them from the Curonian tribe. Similarly in Latvian ''kursenieki'' is used mostly exclusively by scientists to distinguish them from the Curonian tribe. On the other hand, Kursenieki should not be confused with Kurzemnieki, which are the geographical group of Latvians from
Courland
Courland (; lv, Kurzeme; liv, Kurāmō; German and Scandinavian languages: ''Kurland''; la, Curonia/; russian: Курляндия; Estonian: ''Kuramaa''; lt, Kuršas; pl, Kurlandia) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands in western Latvia ...
. ''Kursenieki'' are often considered descendants of the extinct Curonian tribe.
The Kursenieki have never designated themselves as Latvians and called their own language "Curonian language" (''kursisk valoud''). From a linguistic point of view, it is a southwestern dialect of
Latvian, while some linguists also consider it a
sociolect as Kursenieki were predominantly fishermen. In German and Latvian writings of the 19th century, Kursenieki sometimes are called "Prussian Latvians" (german: Preussische Letten; lv, Prūsijas latvieši). Kursenieki were loyal to Germany and identified themselves as German citizens and ethnic ''Kursenieki''.
Language
The language spoken by the Kursenieki is called
Kursenieki language
Kursenieki language (Kursenieki: ''kursisk valuod'', german: Nehrungskurisch; lv, kursenieku valoda; lt, kuršininkų kalba) or Curonian language of the Curonian isthmus (german: kurische Sprache der Kurischen Nehrung) is a dialect of the Latvia ...
. It is distinct from
Curonian language
The Curonian language (german: Kurisch; lv, kuršu valoda; lt, kuršių kalba), or Old Curonian, was a nearly unattested Baltic language spoken by the Curonians, a Baltic tribe who inhabited the Courland Peninsula (now western Latvia) and th ...
(or Old Curonian) spoken by the Curonian people.
History
Origins
The exact origin of the Kursenieki is unclear. One version says that they are indigenous descendants of the
Curonian tribe that lived there since antiquity, at least along the
Curonian Spit
The Curonian (Courish) Spit ( lt, Kuršių nerija; russian: Ку́ршская коса́ (Kurshskaya kosa); german: Kurische Nehrung, ; lv, Kuršu kāpas) is a long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Balti ...
. During the conquest of the
Old Prussians
Old Prussians, Baltic Prussians or simply Prussians (Old Prussian: ''prūsai''; german: Pruzzen or ''Prußen''; la, Pruteni; lv, prūši; lt, prūsai; pl, Prusowie; csb, Prësowié) were an indigenous tribe among the Baltic peoples that ...
and Curonians by the
Teutonic Knights, the area became nearly uninhabited. In the process of various migrations of the 14th–17th centuries, Curonians from
Courland
Courland (; lv, Kurzeme; liv, Kurāmō; German and Scandinavian languages: ''Kurland''; la, Curonia/; russian: Курляндия; Estonian: ''Kuramaa''; lt, Kuršas; pl, Kurlandia) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands in western Latvia ...
settled near
Memel, along the Curonian Spit, and in
Sambia (all regions in
East Prussia). They preserved the old self-designation of Curonians (''kurši''), while Curonians who stayed in
Courland
Courland (; lv, Kurzeme; liv, Kurāmō; German and Scandinavian languages: ''Kurland''; la, Curonia/; russian: Курляндия; Estonian: ''Kuramaa''; lt, Kuršas; pl, Kurlandia) is one of the Historical Latvian Lands in western Latvia ...
fused into
Latvians
Latvians ( lv, latvieši) are a Baltic ethnic group and nation native to Latvia and the immediate geographical region, the Baltics. They are occasionally also referred to as Letts, especially in older bibliography. Latvians share a common Latv ...
. Over time the Kursenieki were assimilated by
Germans, except along the Curonian Spit where some still live. Until the
Soviet Army's takeover in 1945, several places in Sambia were named after Kursenieki, including
Cranzkuhren,
Neukuhren,
Gross Kuhren, and
Klein Kuhren. In 1649, Kursenieki lived from
Memel to
Danzig. At the end of the 19th century the total number of Kursenieki was around 4,000 persons.
Interbellum
Kursenieki were considered Latvians after
World War I when
Latvia gained independence from the
Russian Empire. This consideration was based on linguistic arguments and was the rationale for Latvian claims over the Curonian Spit, Memel, and some other territories of East Prussia. Later these claims were removed. In 1923, the newly created
Memel Territory separated the Curonian Spit in two parts. This separation interrupted contacts between Kursenieki. In 1933, Latvia tried to establish a cultural center for Kursenieki of the Curonian Spit where the majority of them lived, but that was opposed by
Lithuania, of which Memel Territory was a part of.
After World War II
Near the end of
World War II, the majority of Kursenieki fled from the
Red Army during the
evacuation of East Prussia. Kursenieki that remained behind were subsequently
expelled by the
Soviet Union after the war and replaced with
Russians and
Lithuanians
Lithuanians ( lt, lietuviai) are a Baltic ethnic group. They are native to Lithuania, where they number around 2,378,118 people. Another million or two make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Unit ...
.
Some Kursenieki managed to return to their homes after the war, but only 219 lived along the Curonian Spit in 1955. Many had German names such as
Fritz or
Hans
Hans may refer to:
__NOTOC__ People
* Hans (name), a masculine given name
* Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician
** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans
** Yuvraj Hans, Punjab ...
, a cause for anti-German discrimination. Russian residents called the Kursenieki "
fascists", while Lithuanians called them ''kuršiai''. Neither
Lithuania nor
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eight ...
have allowed the return to Kursenieki of property confiscated after World War II.
Culture
Curonians
:''The Kursenieki are also sometimes known as Curonians.''
The Curonians or Kurs ( lv, kurši; lt, kuršiai; german: Kuren; non, Kúrir; orv, кърсь) were a Baltic tribe living on the shores of the Baltic Sea in what are now the western ...
are one of the
Baltic tribes
The Balts or Baltic peoples ( lt, baltai, lv, balti) are an ethno-linguistic group of peoples who speak the Baltic languages of the Balto-Slavic branch of the Indo-European languages.
One of the features of Baltic languages is the number o ...
. Their culture, religion and architecture are similar to those found in
Germany and
Sweden. Curonians are related with
Lithuanians
Lithuanians ( lt, lietuviai) are a Baltic ethnic group. They are native to Lithuania, where they number around 2,378,118 people. Another million or two make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Unit ...
and
Latvians
Latvians ( lv, latvieši) are a Baltic ethnic group and nation native to Latvia and the immediate geographical region, the Baltics. They are occasionally also referred to as Letts, especially in older bibliography. Latvians share a common Latv ...
. The Kursenieki were predominantly
Lutheran, like most former inhabitants of
East Prussia, although some ancient pagan customs were preserved. Most Kursenieki were
bilingual
Multilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers. It is believed that multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. More than half of all Eu ...
or even
trilingual
Multilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers. It is believed that multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. More than half of all Eu ...
: the
Curonian language
The Curonian language (german: Kurisch; lv, kuršu valoda; lt, kuršių kalba), or Old Curonian, was a nearly unattested Baltic language spoken by the Curonians, a Baltic tribe who inhabited the Courland Peninsula (now western Latvia) and th ...
was used within the family and while fishing,
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
was used in everyday communication, and the language of church services was German and Lithuanian. The Kursenieki were primarily fishermen. Some elements of cuisine are named after Kursenieki, for example, Curonian coffee (''Kurenkaffee''); a drink made of vodka flavoured with coffee, honey and other ingredients was popular throughout East Prussia.
The first scholar who took an interest in Kursenieki culture and language was Paul Kwauka, a member of the separatist movement of Memel Territory. His book "Kurisches Wörterbuch" is a highly valuable source of information. The work of describing their heritage is continued by one of the last remaining Kursenieki, Richard Pietsch.
File:Kurenwimpel aus Nidden (2004).JPG, Pennant of Curonian boat from Nida
File:Nida-Thomas-Mann-Haus01.jpg, Kursenieki house
File:Ethnographic Cemetery And Christenings - Krikštas Nidos kapinēse (2010) - panoramio.jpg, Restored Kursenieki wooden grave markers at Nida cemetery
Surnames
The surnames of Kursenieki have various origins, including:
*
Latvian, some with elements of
Old Curonian: Gulbis, Kakies, Kuite, Kukulitis, Pinkis, Strangulis
*
Lithuanian
Lithuanian may refer to:
* Lithuanians
* Lithuanian language
* The country of Lithuania
* Grand Duchy of Lithuania
* Culture of Lithuania
* Lithuanian cuisine
* Lithuanian Jews as often called "Lithuanians" (''Lita'im'' or ''Litvaks'') by other Jew ...
: Kalwis, Lauzeningks, Detzkeit, Jakeit
* Lithuanian or Latvian or Old Prussian: Dullis, Purwins
*
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
: Kiehr, Schmidt
*
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
with
Baltic
Baltic may refer to:
Peoples and languages
*Baltic languages, a subfamily of Indo-European languages, including Lithuanian, Latvian and extinct Old Prussian
*Balts (or Baltic peoples), ethnic groups speaking the Baltic languages and/or originatin ...
elements: Engelins
*
Slavic: Pietsch
*
Polish: Schadowski
*
Old Prussian
Old Prussian was a Western Baltic language belonging to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European languages, which was once spoken by the Old Prussians, the Baltic peoples of the Prussian region. The language is called Old Prussian to avoid c ...
: Schekahn
Notable people
*
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) had Kursenieki roots on his paternal side.
*
Ludwig Rhesa
Martin Ludwig Jedemin Rhesa ( lt, Martynas Liudvikas Gediminas Rėza; 9 January 1776 – 30 August 1840) was a Lutheran pastor and a professor at the University of Königsberg in East Prussia. He is best remembered as publisher of Lithuanian texts ...
(1776–1840), translator, member of
Lietuvininkai movement.
See also
*
Curonians
:''The Kursenieki are also sometimes known as Curonians.''
The Curonians or Kurs ( lv, kurši; lt, kuršiai; german: Kuren; non, Kúrir; orv, кърсь) were a Baltic tribe living on the shores of the Baltic Sea in what are now the western ...
*
Curonian language
The Curonian language (german: Kurisch; lv, kuršu valoda; lt, kuršių kalba), or Old Curonian, was a nearly unattested Baltic language spoken by the Curonians, a Baltic tribe who inhabited the Courland Peninsula (now western Latvia) and th ...
*
East Prussia
Notes
External links
Eva Pluhařova-Grigienė. The Curonian Spit: Identity and Cultural HeritageHistorical features of the northern part of the curonian spitMap of languages in Prussia and Memelland in 1900large
*
ttp://www.spauda.lt/voruta/tekstai/kurshes.htm Paskutinioji kuršininkų karta
Dalia Kiseliūnaitė. Kuršių Nerijos asmenvardžiai kaip gyventojų etninės sudėties liudininkai. Personennamen der Kurischen Nehrung als Zeugen der ethnischen Zusammensetzung der Bevölkerung
Baltu identitātes un etnosa saglabāšanās ilgtermiņa perspektīva. Baltų identiteto ir etnoso išlikimo ilgalaikė perspektyva.
Dalia Kiseliūnaitė Paskutinioji kuršininkų karta
{{Ethnic groups in Lithuania
Ethnic groups in Lithuania
Baltic peoples
Endangered languages of Europe
de:Kuren