Customer Reviews

Song, Dance, and Customs of Peasant Poland

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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!!!

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.

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!