What is a Kashubian?
Kashubian? Polish? What’s the Difference?
Many visitors of the KCIPM ask us one question, which is “What is a Kashubian?” We take this opportunity to highlight the wide variety of subcultures Poland is home to. While native Poles know about the distinctiveness of the Silesians, Kashubians, Gorale, Krakowiacy, and many others, outsiders would simply pass them all off as a part of the greater Polish culture and think not much else about them. We would like to open the conversation up discussing one of the more unique subcultures of Poland, and how it sets them apart from the greater Polish culture.
Who the Kashubians Are
Kashubians are a distinct ethnic group primarily residing in the northern area of Poland, along the coastline of the Baltic Sea, known as Kashubia. The history of the Kashubian region is closely interconnected with the larger region, Pomerania, spanning from northeastern Germany to northern Poland. Kashubia can trace its beginnings to the 13th century with the Hanseatic League, which was a large confederation of states centered around North Germany and the Baltic Sea. Kashubian culture is centered around the Baltic Sea, taking parts of Polish, German, and especially Swedish aspects and blending them into a unique culture that stands out from their surrounding neighbors. Kashubia and Poland have such a deep connection with each other, that there is a popular saying, that “there is no Poland without Kashubia, and no Kashubia without Poland.”
Kashubians are still around today, with well over 100,000 people identifying as Kashubian in Poland, with the number growing consistently. Due to events resulting from the Kulturkampf in Prussia, populations were deported out to North America in the mid-to-late 19th century. Certain areas of North America have notable Kashubian heritage, namely in the cities and towns of Wilno, Ontario, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Jones Island in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and here in Winona, Minnesota.
Kashubian History
The name Kashubian originates from the Papal Bull of Pope Gregory IX on 19 March 1238 to describe the population of people separate from the general classification of Pomeranians in northern Poland. Today, March 19th is celebrated in Kashubia as Kashubian Unity Day, in honor of the first recognition of the Kashubian people.
The area maintained this classification through the rise and fall of the Griffin Dynasty that died out in 1637. At that point, Kashubians and Masurians became German classifications for eastern European communities that were remnants of the Slavic and Baltic tribes of northern Poland that were assimilated into Christianity. The Vistula River in northern Poland is argued as a dividing barrier of early Lutheranism and Catholicism. Generally, Kashubians to the west became Catholic while the Masurians to the east adopted the Lutheran and Mennonite religions after the Enlightenment.
Kashubian Culture
Since the Kashubian people are situated along the Baltic Sea coastline, to an outsider, much of Kashubian culture will have a distinct Scandinavian influence. Kashubians have a history of producing intricate handicrafts, including pottery, textiles, and woodworking. These crafts showcase their artistic talents and are often inspired by their natural surroundings. As such, many Kashubian designs closely resemble Scandinavian rosemaling.
The Kashubian people have their own distinct language, known as Kashubian. Contrary to what many people believe, it is not a dialect of Polish, but rather its own unique language. As a West Slavic language, Kashubian is closely related to Polish and other Slavic tongues. It is considered by some linguists to be the last surviving remnant of the Pomeranian language. The language has a variety of regional dialects, and has survived multiple efforts to Germanize or Polonize it through history. Kashubians often had to be fluent in multiple languages as the national borders of their homeland frequently shifted. Many Kashubians see their language to be a significant aspect of their cultural identity, and efforts have been made to both preserve and revitalize it in recent years.
Kashubian music and dance are integral to their cultural expression. Traditional music often incorporates instruments like fiddles, accordions, and bagpipes. One notable instrument that is unique to the Kashubian culture, is the Devil’s Fiddle. Kashubian dance styles are lively and energetic, with intricate footwork and colorful costumes highlighting. One interesting aspect of Kashubian music that is integral to their history, are the Kaszëbszczé note, or Kashubian Notes. When Poland was occupied under Prussia in the 19th century, the Prussian authorities forbade the use of Kashubian, so families would use a loophole by singing a song in the language. Usually this was done by a man dressed in an amusing costume, often playing a bass violin during festivals or market days. Families learned the words by heart and would continue singing them at home, thus keeping the Kashubian language alive.
Kashubian folklore is rich and diverse, featuring unique myths, legends, and folk traditions. These stories often reflect the Kashubians’ connection to nature and their rural way of life, with celebrations such as Pusta Noc being a notable ceremony taking place the day before a person’s funeral.
Cuisine in Kashubia is well known for their hearty and delicious dishes, often featuring locally sourced ingredients. Traditional foods like kartoflaki (potato dumplings), kaszëbskô malëna (Kashubian raspberry jam), and fish from the Baltic Sea are popular staples. Baltic fish were normally fileted and sold off at the local markets for a profit, with the remaining fishbones used as the base for different foods, including in soups or deep-fried. Ryan Socash of Kult America has an insightful video detailing much of Kashubian cuisine, which you can watch here.
Kashubians have a long and complex history, marked by their resilience and preservation of their cultural distinctiveness despite being surrounded by larger ethnic groups. Their history includes periods of regional autonomy and struggles for cultural recognition. Because of this, Kashubia has seen a large resurgence of interest in Kashubian culture in recent years, with efforts to preserve and promote their traditions and language. Cultural festivals, language classes, and heritage organizations have contributed to this revival, not just in Poland, but parts of Canada, Wisconsin, and here in Winona, Minnesota as well.
