Kulgrinda (Lithuania)

Prūsu Giesmės, 2005 (Prussian Hymns, sung in extinct Old Prussian language)


"Kulgrinda means a secret cobbled road under water through a marsh or a lake leading to the castle. Kulgrinda is also a path of initiation. Ritual folklore band Kulgrinda was founded in 1990, the time when Lithuania was undergoing rebirth. The entire revived movement of the Balts' belief can be hardly imagined without this group.

The band performs ritual Baltic folklore and unique magic sutartines. These melodies come from the oldest times of the Lithuanian nation. The songs accompany the prayers to the old gods, dances, and provide thunderous accompaniment of drums, bagpipes, violins and other instruments. Kulgrinda, led by the pagan priest Jaunius and priestess Inija, is regularly invited to introduce ethnic Baltic tradition in the major events worldwide. The band holds quite a modern approach to folklore, that is, by preserving old traditions they adapt them to the today's life. Characterised by original sound and youthful enthusiasm, yet at the same time preserving the authenticity of folk songs, the ensemble manages to present folklore to the audience consisting of various age groups.

Following Baltic customs, Kulgrinda also performs wedding, initiation and other family and season rituals. These rituals usually take place next to the altar of Gediminas grave hill in Vilnius, Lizdeika altar in Verkiai park, Kernave, other fort hills or altar hills, sacred sites, nature and indoor sites. Kulgrinda is also invited to national ceremonies, official events and town festivities. In recent years the band has recorded and released albums "Ugnies Apeigos" (2002), "Perkuno Giesmes" (2003), and project "Sotvaras" (2004) together with Donis. A new, long-prepared CD "Prusu giesmes" was released this year."

Source: http://www.gadki.lublin.pl/east_eng/k/index.html