Pielęgnowanie tradycji i zwyczajów w rodzinach galicyjskich i ich znaczenie dla kształtowania tożsamości społecznej i narodowej
Upholding traditions and customs in Galician families and their significance for shaping social and national identity

Summary/Abstract: Aim: Various moments of life of the Galician population, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, were outlined in this article, documenting their tremendous devotion to traditions. The exceptional emphasis, which was given to traditions, rites and celebrations in Galician families, is a kind of phenomenon passed from generation to generation. The aim of the paper is to present the influence of preserving all traditions, mainly by the peasant population, on building the system of values in families, creating social bonds and shaping social and national identity in the period of the struggle for independence and the first years of living in the free state. Methods: Document analysis was applied in accordance with the principles of historical research. To prepare the article, peasant diary literature and memoirs from the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries were mainly used. The texts elaborated in Galician memoirs, for instance, Stanisław Pigoń, Wincenty Witos, Roman Turek, Franciszek Magryś, Jan Stryczek, Ferdynand Kuraś were analysed. Results: As a result of the research, the specificity of the rural life of the Galician population and its functioning in the local community were observed. Also obtained was knowledge regarding the functioning of Galician families during the partition period, their customs, tradition, rituals, which were always cherished with great care. Conclusions: The analysis of the source materials leads to the conclusion that the Galician family and the social and civic community were built on the basis of the traditional values. The cultural and social identity with one's own family, farm, workshop, native village and language developed through fidelity to the tradition. Consequently, it made the Galician population aware of the connection with their own nation and their responsibility for its fate.

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