The Struggle of a Dying Culture

The Pomeranians are originally from Pomerania, which is located in the Baltic Sea region, between present-day Germany and Poland. The original language of this people is Pomeranian. In the 19th century, thousands of Pomeranians immigrated, mainly to Brazil and the United States. With the German defeat in World War II, most of Pomerania was annexed by Poland. As a consequence, the Pomeranian language practically disappeared in Europe.

Brazil is the only country in the world where Pomeranian is still regularly spoken, mainly in the city of Santa Maria de Jetibá, in Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. With more than 300 families, this is the largest Pomeranian community in the world that still preserves its native language, formed largely by small farmers, among them some older ones who don't even speak Portuguese. The inhabitants of Santa Maria de Jetibá try to preserve their native language and traditions. But, without the new generations having an interest in the customs of their ancestors, the old tradition already shows signs that at any moment it will fall into disuse.

I was in this small community documenting their lifestyle and I was very well received by everyone. When visiting the inhabitants' houses, I was always invited to have a cup of coffee and, between coffees, I was able to listen to stories that left a deep impression on me. One of the most interesting was about how the Brazilian military government, during the dictatorship, prohibited the inhabitants from speaking and studying the language of their country of origin.

I could see in most of the inhabitants, especially in the older ones, a glint in their eyes when they spoke of their ancestors and their ancient traditions. A glow that maintains the necessary strength to preserve its cultural identity, even in Brazil, a country so geographically and culturally distant from its ancestors.