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Masovians, also spelled as Mazovians, and historically known as Masurians, is an ethnographic group of Polish people that originates from the region of Masovia, located mostly within borders of the Masovian Voivodeship, Poland. They speak the Masovian dialect of Polish language.G. Odoj, A. Peć: Dziedzictwo kulturowe – edukacja regionalna. ("Cultural heritage – regional education"), Dzierżoniów: Wydawnictwo Alex, 2000, p. 74, , .Janusz Kamocki: Zarys grup etnograficznych w Polsce ("Outline of ethnographic groups in Poland"). In: Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze: Ziemia 1965 – Prace i materiały krajoznawcze. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Sport i Turystyka, 1966, p. 112.
The group originates from the Lechites of Masovians, first referenced in the historical records by Nestor the Chronicler in the 11th century.
In the Polish census of 2021, 97 people declared Mazovian national identity.
Historically, prior to the World War II, the population was known as Masurians (Polish: Mazurzy). Currently, the name is exclusively associated with Masurians (historically known as Prussian Masurians), another ethnic group related to Masovians, who inhabit nearby region of Masuria, while the population of Masovia is exclusively referred to as Masovians. SGKP, vol. 2. p. 458.
Name
The name Masovian, in Polish language, Mazowszanin, comes from the name of the region of Masovia, in Polish known as Mazowsze. The name of the region, comes from its Old Polish names Mazow, and Mazosze, and most likely came from word maz (ancestor word of modern maź and mazać), which was used to either describe a " muddy region" or a " person covered in mud".Stefan Hrabec: Jeszcze raz o nazwie Mazowsze. ("Once again called Mazovia") In: Onomastica no. 7, issue. 4, part. 2, Wrocław 1958.
History
The group originate from the Lechites of Masovians, first referenced in the historical records by Nestor the Chronicler in the 11th century. The tribe inhabited an area in modern region of Masovia, centered on the Vistula river. They were originally of the Slavic paganism faith, prior to the christianization of Poland, begun in 10th century. The main settlements of the tribes were Ciechanów, Czersk, Łomża, Płock, Płońsk, and Wizna.
Ethnographic subgroups
There are several subgroups of Masovian people. They include Łowiczans, Poborzans, and Podlachians. Historically, they also included Międzyrzec Boyars.
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