Mazurians (ethnic group)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Mazurs (Polish: Mazurzy) are a sub-ethnic group in the Masovian and Warmian-Masurian Voivodeships in Poland. Mazurs from Masovia are known as Masovians (Polish: Mazowszanie), while Mazurs from the Masuria region of former East Prussia are known as Masurians (German: Masuren). The name of the sub-ethnic group is derived from the Lekhitic tribe of Masovians who gave their name to the land of Masovia (Mazowsze).

[edit] History

In the Middle Ages the inhabitants of the northern part of Masovia were called Mazurzy. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, settlers from northern Masovia moved to former territories of the Old Prussians following their conquest by the Teutonic Knights.

Because of the influx of Masovians into the southern Masurian Lakeland of Ducal Prussia, the area started to be known as Masuria (Polish: Mazury; German: Masuren). During the Protestant Reformation, Masurians, like most inhabitants of Ducal Prussia, became Lutheran Protestants, while Masovians remained Roman Catholic.

During the 19th century, Mazurs were subject to Germanization by the German Empire. In 1888, the Polish language was completely forbidden in schools of all levels. Over 50% of the Masurian towns and villages had their names changed to new German names by Nazi Germany in 1938. As the Soviet Red Army approached East Prussia in 1945 during World War II, many Masurians fled to western Germany. Masuria became part of Poland after war's end. After 1956 many Masurians who remained in Poland immigrated to West Germany.