Baltische Bestattungsrituale im Spiegel ihrer Bezeichnungen: litauisch šer̃menys und šarvójimas, altpreußisch sirmen
Baltic Funeral Rituals

Summary/Abstract: The common etymology of Lith. šer̃menys and OPr. sirmen ‘funeral rite, funeral feast’ relates them to šérti ‘feed’. This interpretation is rejected here. Lith. šérti is used for feeding animals and only metaphorically for children, old or sick persons; its use in a ritual context is not attested and seems unlikely. Feasting the guests is not the essence of funeral and other custom. There is no evidence to show that šer̃menys was restricted to the funeral feast.

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