Mazowszanie(Polish) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Poland (Masovian Voivodeship) | |
| Languages | |
| Polish (Masovian dialect) | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Poles,Masurians,Podlachians |
Masovians,[a] also spelled asMazovians, and historically known asMasurians,[b] is anethnographic group ofPolish people that originates from the region ofMasovia, located mostly within borders of theMasovian Voivodeship,Poland. They speak theMasovian dialect ofPolish.[1][2]
The group originates[citation needed] from theLechitic tribe of Masovians, first referenced in the historical records byNestor the Chronicler in the 11th century.[3]
In the Polish census of 2021, 97 people declared Mazovian national identity.[4]
The name Masovian, inPolish,Mazowszanin, comes from the name of the region ofMasovia, in Polish known asMazowsze. The name of the region, comes from itsOld Polish namesMazow, andMazosze, and most likely came from wordmaz (ancestor word of modernmaź andmazać), which was used to either describe a "muddy region" or a "person covered in mud".[5]
Historically, prior to theWorld War II, the population was known asMasurians (Polish:Mazurzy). More recently, that name became associated with a related ethnic group, originating in the nearby region ofMasuria proper; theMasuriansper se were known, historically, as "Prussian Masurians". In modern usage, the population of Masovia is known exclusively as Masovians.[6]
The group originate from theLechitic tribe of Masovians, first referenced in the historical records byNestor the Chronicler in the 11th century. The tribe inhabited an area in modern region ofMasovia, centered on theVistula river. They were originally of theSlavic paganism faith, prior to thechristianization of Poland, begun in 10th century. The main settlements of the tribes wereCiechanów,Czersk,Łomża,Płock,Płońsk, andWizna.[3]
There are several subgroups of Masovian people. They includeŁowiczans,Poborzans, andPodlachians. Historically, they also includedMiędzyrzec Boyars.[1]
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