Lithuanian mythology

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 23. Chapters: Characters of Lithuanian folk tales, Lithuanian deities, Lithuanian mythology researchers, Laima, Daina, List of Lithuanian gods, Algirdas Julien Greimas, Romuva, Perkunas, Dievas, Egle the Queen of Serpents, AuSrine, Jurate and Kastytis, Lauma, Gintaras Beresnevicius, Prane Dunduliene, Gabija, Dalia, Zaltys, Bangputys, Aitvaras, Norbertas Velius. Excerpt: Daina is the traditional name of vocal folk music in the Baltic languages, and is preserved in Lithuania and Latvia. Lithuanian dainas (literally, "songs") are often noted not only for their mythological content, but also for relating historical events. Most Lithuanian folk music is based around various types of dainas, which include romantic songs, wedding songs, as well as work songs, and archaic war songs. These dainas are performed either solo, or in groups, and in parallel chords or unison. There are three ancient styles of singing in Lithuania connected with ethnographical regions: monophony, multi-voiced homophony, heterophony and polyphony. Monophony mostly occurs in southern (Dzukija), southwest (Suvalkija) and eastern (AukStaitija) parts of Lithuania. Multi-voiced homophony is widespread in the entire Lithuania; it is the most archaic in the western part (Samogitia). Duophonic songs are common in the renowned sutartines tradition of AukStaitija. A large number of Lithuanian dainas are performed in the minor key. Parts of Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring are based on Lithuanian dainas, as are works by Lithuanian composer Juozas Naujalis. Lithuania is home to many folk music festivals. The Dainu Svente (literally "Song Festival") a state-supported festival is perhaps the most famous; it was first held in 1924, and has continued every five years since, helping to keep folk traditions alive. Other major folk festivals include the Skamba skamba kankliai and the Atataria trimitai, both held annually; of historical importance is the Ant mariu krantelio, which was held in the 1980s and was the first major festival of its kind. The Baltica International Folklore Festival is held in one of the Baltic states every year. The tradition of mass Song Fests was inscribed in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003. Sutartines (from the word sutarti-to be in concordance, in agreement, singular sutartine) are highly unique