Song, Dance, and Customs of Peasant Poland [Hardcover]

Sula Benet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

In the 1930s Sula Benet, then a student at the University of Warsaw, began to study the life of Polish peasants, a subject which led to many field trips before and after World War II. Concentrating on the regions of present day Poland, the author presented a basic portrait of peasants and peasant ways throughout the diverse, elastic and curiously consistent area that is Poland. "Nevertheless", says the author "The values and to some extent the specific customs described here are shared by all Poles." Since its publications in 1951, the book has become a cherished classic for all students of Polish life and lore, and is now being reprinted as a tribute to the author and her enduring work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sula Benet

Product Details

• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781804477
• ISBN-13: 978-0781804479
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,462,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - great content - new edition needed!, April 3, 2007

By 

Jagoda Urban-Klaehn "PolishSite Host at: http... (Idaho Falls, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Song, Dance, and Customs of Peasant Poland (Hardcover)

I was really impressed by this book. Frankly, I liked it better than "Polish Customs and Tradition" book by Hodorowicz, which is the most known book on the subject of Polish tradition.

The author has not only a deep and comprehensive knowledge of Polish peasant culture (since she was born in Poland) but she also writes about it in a very interesting way. She is a great observer and she is in love with Polish culture. I could feel it!

The book is divided into four major parts. It starts with the general information about Polish peasants and their culture, then it goes through the "Cycle of the Seasons" which describes life and festivities connected with different holidays through the year. The next part "The parts of the whole" explains regional differences, talks briefly about all Polish regions. The final fourth part "The home circle" talks about the events and celebrations which are not necessarily related to the seasons - like the birth, marriage, funerals etc.

The book deals with Poland before and after World War II when the majority of Poles lived still in villages. This makes it even more interesting since it relates to this time in the history where the peasants were still not spoiled by modern civilization!

I really recommend it!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Song, Dance, and Customs of Peasant Poland (1951), June 5, 2010

By 

Gene J. "Gene" (Delmarva) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Song, Dance, and Customs of Peasant Poland (Hardcover)

My cousin and I share a genealogical interest in Poland as we are of Polish descent. She recommended this book to me, and while I have not yet competed it, I am impressed by the author's observations. Although our family, like so many others, came to the United States in the 1800s, our generation follows many of the traditions, language and customs of our grandparents. Much, of course, has been lost in the past 100 years in this country, but some of the sayings remain in nearly daily use (for example: "starosc nie radosc, smierc nie pocieha" is one of them and the author gives a fair translation early on in the book). This book, for me, will be a reference book in my library and a welcome edition it will be.

5.0 out of 5 stars song, dance and customs of peasant Poland, August 6, 2009

By 

Wolfman (East Lyme, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Song, Dance, and Customs of Peasant Poland (Hardcover)

I was nicely surprised at the level of detail about Polish songs and customs.
I recall parents, grandparents and inlaws relating various customs and this book provided the detail I hadn't been told. It is interesting how Poles were attuned to the various Saints, and some of the customs and superstitions had their roots in pagan times. Because I am studying my family genealogy, I read it from front to back without 'skimming' through. Quite absorbing!