From TheBestLinks.com
Mazur is a Polish ethnic group from Mazovia (Catholics) or East Prussia (Protestant).
Their name derives from the Lekhitic tribe of Masovians (Mazowszanie) who gave their name to the land of Masovia (Mazowsze). In the Middle ages the inhabitants of the northern part of Masovia were called Mazurzy. Between the XIV and XVII centuries, settlers from northern Mazovia moved to former teritories of Old Prussians following their conquest by Teutonic Order.
Because of the influx of Masovians into the lake region of East Prussia the area received the descriptive name short Masuria, while the people of East Prussia were East Prussians (Ostpreussen). The East Prussians including the immigrants from Masovia, were Protestants, thus can be differentiated from the Catholic Polish Mazurzy from Masovia.
From their name the lake region of East Prussia was called Mazury.
Example of germanisation:
Oletzko County refers to historical East Prussia County with capital in Oletzko.
The county was populated by Masurs, ethnic Polish group. In the process of germanisation, the number of Polish-speaking people decreased.
1818 - over 90% of population
1852 - 65%
1861 - 58%
1890 - 46%
1900 - 33.5% (Prussian census)
1890 - 19%
In 1888, the Polish language was completely forbidden in schools of all levels.
Mazur (Masurian) is also the name of one of the five major dialects of the Polish language. Its variations are spoken in the countryside of northern Masovia and until about 1950 was commonly spoken in Masuria.
Mazur is also a traditional Polish folk dance from Masovia.
See also: Mazurka
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