Semigallia

Semigallia is one of the Historical Latvian Lands located to the south of the Daugava and to the north of the Saule region of Samogitia. The territory is split between Latvia and Lithuania, previously inhabited by the Semigallian Baltic tribe. They are noted for their long resistance (1219–1290) against the German crusaders and Teutonic Knights during the Northern Crusades. Semigallians had close linguistic and cultural ties with Samogitians.

Name

thumb|Mervala (Mervallastenen) runic stone in Sweden on which Semigallia (Simkala) is mentioned. Near lake [[Mälaren]]

The name of Semigallia appears in sources such as Seimgala, Zimgola and Sem[e]gallen. The -gal[l] element means 'border' or 'end', while the first syllable corresponds to ziem ('north'). Thus, the Semigallians were the "people of the northern borderlands" (i.e. the lower parts of the Mūša and Lielupe river valleys).

Territory

1st–4th centuries

Between the 1st and the 4th century the cultural area of Semigallian reached its maximum size. In the north, the territory spread the Gulf of Riga and included a more extensive area of the coast. In the west, the boundary was marked by the streams Ežerupis and Vadakstis. In the east, the territory crossed Dauguva and included part of its right bank. The southern boundary was marked by Mūša river.

The Semigallian language was spoken in the region until around the 16th century.

Present

Northern part of the ancient Semigallia is located in Latvia, southern part of it - in Lithuania.

In Lithuania, Semigallia (Žiemgala) is considered a historically and culturally Baltic region. Žiemgala is part of Aukštaitija; its main centres are Joniškis, Pakruojis, Žeimelis, Linkuva and Pasvalys. The museum of Semigallia opened in 1958 in Žeimelis.

Name

Territory

1st–4th centuries

Present

Notes

References

Further reading