“Creating tradition” in Slavic Neopagan Groups

This article describes the process of forming traditions in Slavic neopagan religious groups as a fundamental element constituting the identity of the community’s members. The lack of source materials means that modern Slavic rituals and ceremonies are often more ideas and variations on a theme than actual reconstructions of pagan festivities. Imagined communities (Hobsbawm), which include neopagan movements, are involved in practices of a symbolic and ritual nature which aim to create historical continuity. In this case, tradition (Shils) is treated instrumentally. Its various parts are preserved not because of their supposed ancientness, but because they are seen as deserving of the name of tradition. In this way, tradition is continued, transformed and applied to the dimensions of modern life.

This article describes the process of forming traditions in Slavic neopagan religious groups as a fundamental element constituting the identity of the community’s members. The lack of source materials means that modern Slavic rituals and ceremonies are often more ideas and variations on a theme than actual reconstructions of pagan festivities. Imagined communities (Hobsbawm), which include neopagan movements, are involved in practices of a symbolic and ritual nature which aim to create historical continuity. In this case, tradition (Shils) is treated instrumentally. Its various parts are preserved not because of their supposed ancientness, but because they are seen as deserving of the name of tradition. In this way, tradition is continued, transformed and applied to the dimensions of modern life.