Expedition to the concentration of ethnotoponyms (ethnically-, tribally- or geographically-related toponyms) around the district center of Ljakhavichy (Ляхавічы) in western Belarus (part V): Sakuny (Сакуны). The village of Sakuny lies right across the road from Turki and just two-and-a-half miles (four kilometers) from Ljakhavichy.
The Sakuny were a sub-group of the Dryhavichy — one of the principal Slavic tribes who from the early Middle Ages inhabited lands now part of Belarus. The Sakuny lived principally along the River Ptsich (Пціч) and its tributary Aresa (Арэса, Раса) in central and south-central Belarus. They were called Sakuny because they pronounced the reflexive pronoun “sja” (ся) as “sa” (са). Descendants of the Sakuny continue to live in, and carry on Sakuny traditions in, several villages of Staryja Darohi (Старыя Дарогі) District of central Belarus. I have not been able to find out when Sakuny in Ljakhavichy District was settled, nor did I have time to visit the Sakuny cemetery; however, there are graves in Ljakhavichy cemetery with the surname Sakun.
“Belarusians” (“Беларусі“), an album of photographs of Belarusian ethnographer Isaac Sjerbau (Ісак Сербаў), has a selection of his photos of Sakuny from 100 years ago.
Вандроўка па этнатапонімах вакол Ляхавічаў (частка V): Ятвезь, Вялікая Лотва, Літва, Туркі, Сакуны, Ляхавічы, Русінавічы, Жомайдзь (Клецкі р.), Мазуркі, Цыгань, Літоўка, Русіно.
У фотаалбуму “Беларусі“ магчыма глядзець цудоўныя фатаграфіі Сакунаў здыманыя ў другім дзецяцігоддзі 20-а стагоддзя этнографам Ісакам Сербавам.
Granny Zina (90), Sakuny 2014. Спадарыня Зіна (90), Сакуны 2014 г.
Another fascinating story connecting the historic dots concerning Belarus and the diverse groups living there. Bless the stalwart Grannies!