What is Romuva?
“Baltic Religion” identifies the
way of life, world concept and world view that were common to all Baltic
nations/tribes: Lithuanians, Latvians, Prussians, Yotvingians, Curonians,
Zemgalians, Selians, Latgalian etc. Modern Romuva is the Lithuanian expression
of the Baltic Faith. The word itself means serenity, peace, harmony, tenderness
and beauty. These are the most cherished of values. Romuva is a religion of life
and harmony.
Historically, the Prussian temple of Romuva was one of
the last important European Pagan sanctuaries. Apart from this Romuva, there
were countless local sanctuaries, which thrived in the wide Baltic region. It is
just the same today - the idea of Romuva remains in the consciousness of the
various Baltic cultures. National revivals of hte Baltic poeple and inspired by a more studied and enlightened understanding of the old faith of the Lithuanians (and their brother Balts the Latvians), the name of Romuva surfaced again a little over a century ago. Lithuanians began to call theri renewed faith "Romuva". Latvians called their return to their rotts "Dievturiba" with the meaning of "the keeping of the god Dievs". It is to be noted that this is a faith of man and nature. Its origins and its continuing tradition is the essence of the Baltic faith, not of nationality.
