Gorals
The Highlanders (Polish Górale, Slovak Gorali, the Polish word " góra " for "mountain", compare Slovak " hora " ) are a living on the Polish- Slovak border West Slavic ethnic group. They speak Goralisch, a Polish- Slovak transitional dialect.
Distribution and history
Highlanders in the Tatras in Poland and are counted there to the poles. In Slovakia, they live in the landscapes Orava, Kysuce and Oberzips and are considered there since the 18th century as part of the Slovaks.
Historically, they probably evolved from the Vlachs, who inhabited the Polish and Slovakian Carpathians between the 15th and 17th centuries.
In World War II they were regarded by the German occupiers as a separate ethnic group and called " Goralenvolk ". Part of the regional elite collaborated with the occupiers and so came into the enjoyment of privileges. But there are also highland joined the Polish resistance.
On the Polish side of the Tatra highlanders residing in particular to the tourist resort of Zakopane in the Podhale around. In particular, the provided with rich Balkenschnitzwerk vielgiebligen wooden houses fall on the same number of dormer windows. Frequently Goralenfrauen stand in their national costume with its stand at a place where many tourists and passers- through, and sell one of their typical products. This primarily includes Oscypek, a smoked sheep's milk cheese externally molded to whimsical Carnival donuts or artistically turned wooden spindle parts recalls.
One of the most famous Polish highlanders was the priest and philosopher Józef Tischner. He not only wrote books like the " history of philosophy on Goralisch ", but was also involved in economic and cultural programs for the highlanders.