Expedition to the concentration of ethnotoponyms (ethnically-, tribally- or geographically-related toponyms) around the district center of Ljakhavichy (Ляхавічы) in western Belarus (part VIII): Zhomajdz’ (Жомайдзь, Клецкі раён).
Zhomajdz’ in Kljetsk District is one of two so-named villages in Belarus; there is also a Zhomajdzi. The modern-day descendants of the Baltic tribe of the Zhamojty (Zhemajty, Zhmudz’, Samogitians) form part of the modern Lithuanian nation and are found mostly in western Lithuania. In the Middle Ages the Zhamojty considered themselves very different from the other Baltic, and certainly from the Slavic, tribes which coalesced into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Litva — Літва — as distinct from today’s Lithuania). Indeed, the Zhamojty held themselves apart and caused difficulties for the Grand Duke; they were the last European tribe to be Christianized. All three villages mentioned here, although now thoroughly Belarusian, are off the beaten track and reflect this separateness.
Вандроўка па этнатапонімах вакол Ляхавічаў (частка VІІІ): Ятвезь, Вялікая Лотва, Літва, Туркі, Сакуны, Ляхавічы, Русінавічы, Жомайдзь (Клецкі р.), Мазуркі, Цыгань, Літоўка, Русіно.
Crosses of Belarus (part XVIII): detail of roadside cross, Zhomajdz’ 2014. Крыжы Беларусі (частка XVIII): прыдарожны крыж, Жомайдзь 2014 г.
