Since ancient times the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea has been inhabited

by the Latvians, one of the Baltic peoples. The Baltic tribes settled here

about 4000 years ago and had their own mythology and customs based upon

the worship of the natural forces. They were the last pagan tribes in

Europe. In the 13th century the Knights of the Teutonic Order invaded the

country to bring in the Christianity. One by one crusaders subjugated the

free peasant-tribes of the Latgalls, Sels and Kurshi, destroyed their

villages and fortified castles, devastated their fields and tried to turn

native inhabitants into serfs of Christ. Only the tribe of the Semigalls

under the guidance of chief Viestards (and later - Nameisis) still carried

on the fight against the servants of cross. Until finally in 1290 after

several bitter fights they were forced to leave the native land, but they

went away unsubjugated. Many an old castle-hill or an oak which has

weathered the storms and adversities of centuries are the sole witness of

these events, but people tell legends about them - about brave Semigallian

warriors... In memory of those who lost their lifes in these battles we

dedicate the SEMIGALLS' WARCHANT. The brave pagan spirit of those will ive

in our hearts forever...