The origin of the ancient Slavs is still in question. This people fills a large space on Earth, but it is still impossible to determine the place of appearance. One of the reasons is the absence of any mention of the people and Slavic communities until the 6th century AD. e.
Origin of communities
The composition of the Slavic peoples includes Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Czechs, Poles, Bulgarians, Slovaks, Croats, Gascons, Slovenes, Serbs. For a long time there were tribes of Slavs who lived in Europe, Asia, Africa, but they moved or were destroyed.
The most popular version is that the Slavs descended from the Aryans. They came to Europe during the Great Migration of Nations. But by coincidence, the Slavs broke away from the German community and found themselves surrounded by eastern peoples. And their development lagged behind other civilizations.
According to another version, the Slavic communities broke away from the Roman Empire and fought with almost all peoples in Europe.
It is difficult to determine when the Slavs became a single people, but archaeologists indicate that they belonged to the Indo-European community, the influence of Slavic culturespread from the Vistula to the Urals.
Resettlement
Numerous tribes lived in the eastern part of Europe. Over time, eastern, western and southern tribes appeared. The Eastern Slavic community is located between the Carpathian Mountains, the Oka and Volga rivers. From north to south, their territory was located between the Ladoga and Black seas. The Eastern Slavs became the founders of the Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples.
Western Slavs occupied the basins of the Vistula and Laba rivers. The communities were divided into tribes of Czechs, Poles, Moravians, Slovaks, Polabs, and Pomeranians. All tribes were the ancestors of modern Polish, Czech and Slovak people.
From Central Europe, the Slavs moved south. Gradually they occupied the entire Balkan Peninsula, so a community of southern Slavs arose. They became the ancestors of Serbs, Slovenes, Montenegrins, Croats, Bulgarians and Macedonians.
Life of the community
In all ancient Slavic communities, words meaning household items, crafts, tools sound the same. The ancient Slavs, living at a great distance, understood each other. All of them were engaged in hunting, farming, breeding domestic animals, living in villages.
In peacetime, the Slavs were famous for their hospitality, they gladly exchanged overseas goods for fur, leather, and pottery. When attacked by nomads, they confidently repulsed the attack, they were famous for their martial arts. Involving the enemy deep into their territories, the Slavs suddenly appeared from hiding and destroyed the enemy army.
Due to difficult climatic conditions, a person could not survive alone. Within the community, the help of family and neighbors was needed. Together they built houses, hunted, raised cattle. A person's belonging to the community was achieved through joint labor and ritual activities, which were obligatory for everyone.
Forms of mutual assistance in the ancient Slavic communities are connected with the mythological world of ancient people. The presence of amulets was mandatory. An object or plant was used as protection. A large number of holidays among the Slavs is associated with the distribution of surpluses from the table. Thus, equality was established in the community. Those who had little food received it in sufficient quantities. The family took care of the old man, and if it was not there, then the community took over the duties. The orphans were in the care of the community. They could move from one family to another. Or to be taken in by one family, more often lonely old people.
The social system of the Slavs
Slavs lived in a primitive communal system, the elders were at the head of the community. In the 6th century tribal communities began to turn into families. All had one ancestor. But members of the community were considered distant relatives. The family lived in a large house or group of buildings standing nearby.
Common ownership of property, joint work, cultivation of the land are a characteristic feature of the Slavic community. Wars and migrations led to the fact that unrelated residents began to appear within the community. Several communities united in a tribe. The leaders of the tribes gathered at the veche, discussed issues of war and peace. Wars were fought between the tribesactions. The captives became slaves. Slavery lasted for several years, and then the prisoner was released.
Military leaders, having a squad, subjugated the heads of communities and ruled, regardless of the opinion of the veche. The Slavs called this form of government a principality. The princes passed on power by inheritance. Some captured several tribes at once, expanding the boundaries of their lands. The people's rights became less and less, the primitive communal system was degenerated into a feudal one.
Slavic communities in Russia
In Russia, there are 300-400 organizations that can be classified as communities. Typically, an organization is a religious movement with up to 30 members.
Slavic communities in Russia are divided into Moscow and provincial. Moscow pay more attention to the ideology of neo-paganism and propaganda, in the provinces people are more interested in the ethnographic part of Slavic culture.
The main direction of the communities is the upbringing of the younger generation. Active participants arrange holidays, recreate costumes, organize amateur groups. Build forms of mutual aid based on community principles.
Interaction between communities is poorly developed. The Orthodox community does not pay attention to the creation of Slavic communities, this hinders their development.
Modern Native Faith Community
The largest association of neo-pagans is the Union of Slavic Communities. The organization was founded in 1997. It included the Moscow, Kaluga and Obninsk communities. The head was Vadim Stanislavovich Kazakov.
Every year, the community discusses an action plan to expand its membership and collaborate with other organizations. Such meetings are called veche. They choose the head of the union and the high priest. More than 100 representatives of various Slavic communities in Russia are present at the veche.
In 2014, the community officially registered as a public organization for the support and development of Slavic culture. The organization bought a plot of land for the construction of a Slavic temple in the Kaluga region. In 2015, the opening of the ceremonial structure of the Temple of Fire Svarozhich took place. It is difficult for an outsider to enter the temple.
Ideology of the modern community
The ideology of the Slavic community of native faith is based on customs and traditions. The organization operates not only in Russia, but cooperates with communities of other European states whose ancestors were Slavs.
According to research conducted in 2016, 1.5% of Russians profess the religion of their ancestors and call themselves pagans. It should be noted that this percentage includes the indigenous peoples of Altai, Yakutia and other regions, where they have always lived according to the traditions of their ancestors.
Rituals are held within the Union of Slavic Communities, which may differ from similar events of like-minded people. The main holidays of the Slavs are Kolyada, Kupala, Komoyeditsa and Tausen. On other holidays, outsiders are usually not allowed to enter.
Each community has its own symbols and temples - places where rituals are held. For thisclearing a plot in a clearing or in a forest, setting up idols of the Gods or building a pagan structure.
In May 2012, the Union of Slavic Communities was recognized as pseudo-scientific and harmful to culture.
The tasks of the community of native faith
The leaders of the community of their native faith set themselves the task of observing and increasing the cultural values of the peoples of Russia:
- learning customs;
- dissemination of cultural, spiritual and moral customs of the Slavic peoples;
- spiritual development of the younger generation;
- physical rehabilitation of the Slavic ethnic group;
- informing the population about Slavic customs;
- education about crafts and trades of ancestors;
- folk art training;
- education of the population through the media;
- interaction with local authorities and other public organizations.
Based on these principles, the Union of Slavic Communities issues a periodical printed publication about the traditions and culture of the ancient Slavs. Distance learning has been organized for people who want to study the archeology and folklore of the ancient Slavs. Like-minded people reconstruct costumes, holidays, study shrines.
The life of the Slavic community promotes a he althy lifestyle and outdoor activities. The basis of the modern community is the sports and labor education of children.
Since 2014, the Union of Slavic Communities began to cooperate with authorities at various levels. The organization supports traditional Slavic martial arts and folklorecollectives.
Structure of the community of native faith
The head of the Slavic community of the native faith is chosen for Ivan Kupala's day once a year at a veche. On the same day, the head of the priestly council is elected. Within the union, there are departments involved in certain activities - interaction with the media, propaganda on the Internet, public relations.
The structure includes the Moscow communities "Svyatoyarie" and "Circle of Vyatichi". The Union of Slavic Communities also includes Kaluga, Oryol, Stavropol, Anapa, Ozersk, Smolensk, Tambov and many others.
