SYNCRETISM OF THE SEASONAL RITUALS IN THE LATGALIAN BORDERLAND

2010

<p>German written sources are representing information on masquerade traditions in Latvia already in the 17th century - Latvian mask parades in 1636 are described by the Kurzeme and Zemgale Superintendent, P. Einhorn. (Jansons 2010: 49). Information about the Latvian masquerade traditions from the Christian Church sources in the nineteenth century and at the beginning of the twentieth century have been negative, which is analyzed in 30-ties of the 20th century by ethnologist Jānis Alberts Jansons in his work "The Latvian mask parades”, but through a field study at the beginning of 21st century conclusion can be drawn that these traditions have been explicitly significant within the ru…