Pogórzanie (Pogorzans)

Pogórzanie - a community born of intermingling cultures

The ethnographic group of Pogórzans was created from the mixing of three cultural elements. The first of them are Polish settlers from the Kraków-Sandomierz Upland, who migrated to the Pogórze area from the 10th to the 13th century. The Russian element was present at the eastern border of Pogórze. The third, very essential element appeared in these areas during the times of Casimir the Great. It was then that the then King of Poland relocated the German settlers (later called the Deaf Germans) to constitute a natural barrier against the further influx of Ruthenians. Polish historian and writer Szymon Starowolski, in his book from the 17th century entitled "Poland or the description of the kingdom of Poland", wrote about the Pogórzans: "Milk here and linen canvases are usually abundant, because the villages of this area are inhabited by descendants of the German tribe, taken on some war by Casimir the Great, king of Poland, or brought from Saxony, with their children and wives, all the way to this area. Therefore, they take great care of cattle and the cultivation of flax, and during fairs, they bring the goods for sale to other nearby towns, especially to Rzeszów and Jarosław. " With time, the German population was being assimilated until it finally blended permanently with Polish culture. The culture of Pogórzans today was influenced by other factors as well. Due to the communication and trade routes running through the Carpathian passes, various communities, cultures and traditions have influenced each other over the centuries, enriching and permeating each other. Pogórzans had lively contacts with Slovaks, Hungarians and other peoples who traveled along the trade routes of this part of Europe. Unlike other ethnic groups from this region, the Pogórzans were ethnically (Polish) homogeneous, they also used the Polish language and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. Nevertheless, due to the existence of historical differences in construction methods, interior design, dress and economy, Pogórzans are divided into Eastern and Western - the conventional border is the Jasiołka and Wisłok rivers, i.e. the historical border between Russia and Poland.

What to see?