The Pomeranians (German: Pomeranen; Kashubian: Pòmòrzónie; Polish: Pomorzanie) were a group of West Slavic tribes who lived along the shore of the Baltic Sea between Oder and Vistula Rivers (the latter Farther Pomerania and Pomerelia). They spoke the Pomeranian language belonging to the Lechitic branch of the West Slavic language family.
The Pomeranian tribes formed after the 6th century, when as a result of the Slavic migration, groups of Slavs populated the area formerly inhabited by Germanic tribes such as the Goths and the Rugians.
From the late 10th century, Piast Poles tried to incorporate the Pomeranians into their empire and there is some evidence they succeeded several times. If this were the case, the Pomeranians were nevertheless always able to regain their independence.
In the course of the 12th century, the non-Christian Pomeranians faced continuous pressure from their expanding Christian neighbours Denmark, Poland, and German duchy of Saxony and Holy Roman Empire. The Pomeranian lands were eventually divided, with the Western parts entering the Holy Roman Empire as the Duchy of Pomerania, and the Eastern part consisting of Pomerelia came under the influence of Poland and, later, the Teutonic Order.
After the Germanization of Pomerania resulting from the medieval Ostsiedlung, many Pomeranians were slowly and gradually assimilated and discontinued the use of their Slavic language and culture. The direct descendants of Pomeranians include:
- Kashubians, who speak the Kashubian language
- Slovincians
- Kociewiacy
- Borowiacy
See also
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