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

as in the present, are determined by a close proximity to strong German and Polish influence. West-Pomeranian State with its capital in Szczecin has survived from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century. On the other hand, East-Pomeranian with its capital in Gdansk enjoyed independence just one century – XIII.

The processes accompanying development of the state and nation-building activities in Kashubia, in the past, as well

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 Paul Nipkow Guenter Grass

King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden Inventor Author, Noble Prize winner

Gerard Labuda Donald Tusk Danuta Stenka

Historian European Council President 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 coat of arms

Kashubian flag

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