Selonia

The in Latvian as Sēlija (also Selija ), or popularly: Augšzeme ( German: Oberlettland ) designated area is the historical settlement area of ​​the selenium or Selonians in the south of Latvia between the Dvina and the Lithuanian border. It is a part of the historic landscape Semgallen. Jacob City ( Latvian: Jēkabpils ) is the unofficial capital.

History

The ancient Baltic tribe of selenium moved deep into today's Lithuania, with its tribes he was allied. After 1180, the selenium were evangelized together with the treatments, Livs and Semgallen and in the 13th century by the Livonian Order, and its successor, the Teutonic Order, subject. Different faiths influenced the area. The previously working there German pastors had a significant influence on the formation of the local inhabitants. In the 19th century, the area had a large share of Jewish population.

In the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic of the selenium or Selonians were not officially recognized. The descendants of the tribe endeavor since the restoration of Latvia's independence intensified their ethnic identity. They explore and maintain the local language, culture and tradition.