The
Kursenieki (
Curonians; ; ; ) (sg.
Kursenieks) are a nearly extinct
Baltic ethnic group living along the
Curonian Spit. "Kursenieki" refers only to inhabitants of former
East Prussia that speak a
Latvian language dialect, the so-called (New)
Curonian language.
Autochthonous inhabitants of
Palanga in
Lithuania call themselves "Curonians" as well, but in Lithuania they usually are counted as
Latvians.
Confusion
Kursenieki are often confused with the extinct
Curonian Baltic tribe, as neighbouring ethnic groups called Kursenieki as
Curonians: in
German,
Latvian and
Lithuanian, Kursenieki and the Curonian tribe are known by the same terms (
Kuren,
kurši and
kuršiai respectively). In scientific Lithuanian literature, the name
kuršininkai is used to designate them from the Curonian tribe. Simillary in Latvian
kursenieki is used mostly exclusively by scientists to designate them from the Curonian tribe. On the other hand, Kursenieki should not be confused with Kurzemnieki, which are the geographical group of Latvians from
Kurzeme.
Kursenieki are often considered descendants of the extinct Curonian tribe.
The Kursenieki have never designated themselves as Latvians and their own language was called "Curonian language" (
kursenieku valoda). From a linguistic point of view, it is a dialect of Latvian. In German and Latvian writings of the 19th century, Kursenieki sometimes are called "Prussian Latvians" (; ). Kursenieki were loyal to Germany and identified themselves as German citizens and ethnic
Kursenieks.
History
Curonian living area in 1649
Curonian house
Curonian cemetery in
NidaThe origin of the Kursenieki is unclear. One version says that they are autochthonous descendants of the
Curonian tribe who lived there since antiquity, at least along the
Curonian Spit. During the conquest of the
Old Prussians and Curonians by the
Teutonic Knights, the area became nearly uninhabited. In the process of various migrations of the 14th-17th centuries, Curonians from
Courland settled
near Memel, along the Curonian Spit, and in
Sambia (all regions in
East Prussia). They preserved the old self-designation of Curonians (
kursi), while Curonians who stayed in
Courland became
Latvians. The Kursenieki were assimilated by
Germans, except along the Curonian Spit where some still live. Until 1945, several places in Sambia were named after Kursenieki, including
Cranzkuhren,
Neukuhren,
Gross Kuhren, and
Klein Kuhren. In 1649 Kursenieki lived from
Memel (Klaipėda) to
Danzig (Gdańsk). In the end of the 19th century the total number of Kursenieki was around 4,000 persons.
Kursenieki were considered Latvians after
World War I when
Latvia gained independence from the
Russian Empire. This consideration was based on linguistic arguments and was the rationale for Latvian claims over the Curonian Spit, Memel, and some other territories of East Prussia. Later these claims were removed. In 1923 the newly-created
Memel Territory (Klaipėda Region) separated the Curonian Spit in two parts. This separation interrupted contacts between Kursenieki. In 1933 Latvia tried to establish a cultural center for Kursenieki of the Curonian Spit where the majority of them lived, but was opposed by
Lithuania, to which the Memel Territory belonged. Latvian books that were sent to Kursenieki were confiscated and accused of
communist propaganda.
Near the end of
World War II, the majority of Kursenieki fled from the
Red Army during the
evacuation of East Prussia. Kursenieki that remained behind were subsequently
expelled by the
Soviet Union after the war and replaced with
Russians and
Lithuanians.
Some Kursenieki managed to return to their homes after the war, but only 219 lived along the Curonian Spit in 1955. Many had German names such as
Fritz or
Hans, a cause for anti-German discrimination. Russian settlers called the Kursenieki
fascists, while Lithuanian settlers called them
Prussians. In the
Lithuanian SSR, church services in German were banned. Because of this discrimination, many immigrated to
West Germany in 1958, where the majority of Kursenieki now live. Neither
Lithuania nor
Russia has allowed the return to Kursenieki of property confiscated after World War II.
Culture
The Kursenieki were predominantly
Lutheran, like most former inhabitants of
East Prussia, although some ancient pagan customs were preserved. Most Kursenieki were
bilingual or even
trilingual: the
Curonian language was used within the family and while fishing,
German was used in everyday communication (as Kursenieki identified nationally with
Germany), and the language of church services was German and Lithuanian. The Kursenieki were primarily fishermen.
Some elements of cuisine are named after Kursenieki, for example Curonian coffee (
Kurenkoffee); a drink made of vodka flavoured with coffee, honey and other ingredients was popular throughout East Prussia.
The first who took an interest in Kursenieki culture and language was Paul Kwauka, a member of the separatist movement of
Memel Territory. His book "Kurisches Worterbuch" is a highly valuable source of information.
The work of describing their heritage is continued by one of the last remaining Curonians, Richard Pietsch.
Surnames
The surnames of Kursenieki have various origins, including:
- Latvian, some with elements of Old Curonian: Gulbis, Kakies, Kuite, Kukulitis, Pinkis, Strangulis, Detzkeit, Jakeit
- Lithuanian or Latvian or Oldprussian: Dullis, Purwins
- Oldprussian: Schadowski, Schekahn
Famous people
- Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) had Kursenieki roots from paternal side.
