The roots of the Belarusian nation: photo excursion to ethnonyms of the Valozhyn District (Vjalikaja Dajnava and Zhomajdz’). Карані беларускай нацыі: вандроўка па этнонімах Валожыншчыны (Вялікая Дайнава й Жомайдзь).
Zhomajdz’ in Valozhyn District is one of two so-named villages in Belarus; the photo of the day for July 1 was from the other Zhomajdz’, in Kletsk District.
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. Both villages mentioned here, although now thoroughly Belarusian, are off the beaten track and their locations reflect the former separateness.
Zhomajdz’ (Valozhyn District) 2014. Жомайдзь (Валожынскі раён) 2014 г.
