Sarmatism was the prevalent mentality and ideology of szlachta in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 16th century to 19th century.
The name came from alleged ancestors of the szlachta (Sarmatians). This belief became an important part of szlachta's culture and penetrated into all aspects of life. Sarmatian concept enshrined traditions, provincial village life, peace and pacifism, popularised eastern (almost oriental) clothing and looks (żupan, kontusz, sukmana , pas kontuszowy, delia, szabla), served to integrate the multiethnic nobility by creating an almost nationalism sense of unity and pride of the szlachta's political Golden Freedoms.
In its early, ideal form sarmatism looked like a good cultural movement: it supported religious belief, honesty, national pride, courage, equality and freedom. However as any doctrine that put some social class above others it became perverted in time. Late sarmatism transformed belief into intolerance and devotion, honesty into political naivity, pride into arrogance, courage into stubborness, queality and freedom of szlachta into nihilism.
See also
Last updated: 10-19-2005 08:58:47
