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6th-12th century East Slavic tribal confederation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Krivichs or Kryvichs (Russian: кри́вичи, romanized: krivichi, IPA: [ˈkrʲivʲɪtɕɪ]; Belarusian: крывічы́, romanized: kryvičý, IPA: [krɨvʲiˈt͡ʂɨ]) were a tribal union of Early East Slavs between the 6th and the 12th centuries.[1] It is suggested that originally the Krivichi were native to the area around Pskov.[2] They migrated to the mostly Finnic areas in the upper reaches of the Volga, Dnieper, Dvina, areas south of the lower reaches of river Velikaya and parts of the Neman basin.[3]
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In some variants of Belarusiphile anti-normanist history, the city, and later principality of Polotsk is linked to Krivichians, much like Kyiv is linked to Polianians, however, based on most modern evidence, these were all likely linked to Rus' people.[4]
Many historians suggest that the name of the tribe probably stems from that of their legendary forefather Kriv, possibly a kniaz or a voivode. According to Max Vasmer, this sobriquet was derived from the Slavic adjective krivoy ("crooked/twisted") due to some possible birth defect. Jan Stankievič believed it was derived from the adjective kroŭ/kryvi ("blood"), hence, kryvič would mean "blood relationship".
The Krivichs left many archaeological monuments, such as the remnants of agricultural settlements with traces of ironworks, jeweler's art, blacksmith's work and other handicrafts; long burial mounds of the 6th to 9th centuries with cremated bodies; burial mounds of rich warriors with weapons; sets of distinctive jewelry (bracelet-like temporal rings and glass beads made out of stretched wire). By the end of the first millennium, the Krivichs had already had well-developed farming and cattle-breeding. Having settled around the Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks, the Krivichs traded with the Varangians. Their chief tribal centres were Gnezdovo, Izborsk, and Polotsk.
The Krivichs as a tribe took part in Oleg's and Igor's military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire. They are also mentioned in De Administrando Imperio as Krivitzoí (Κριβιτζοί).
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