PRIPET MARSHES

Opunake Times, 29 July 1941, Page 3

PRIPET MARSHES

ABBA AND PEOPLE VISITOR’S DESCRIPTION Bound the Pripet Marshes, extending for across the frontiers of White Russia and eastern Poland some of the heaveat fighting between the Germans and Russians have been raging since the invasion began. Now these famous marshes no less than the great forests that fringe the steepes, are a stronghold of important Soviet kuerrilla forces in the enemy’s rear. Giving an account of the area and of th® Polish marshdwellers on the western side before the Soviet occupation, the Ssotish journalist, Mr. Robert McBride says in his book "Towns and People of Modern Poland ” ; “Branching from the main waterways ran an intricate system of canals and streams,” he said recounting his visit. "Many of these disappeared in the bushes and high grass which covered their banks, and we wondered how the natives found their way in the maze and channels. Broad lagoons had the character of lakes whose length could be measured in miles. Like inland Seas “The lakes and the larger lagoons, their low. banks invisible in the distance, seemed like inland seas, but for the most part our horizons war® limited and the silences dramatic. Our vision was bounded by r»®ds, shrubs of submerged forest. At sunset our vistars were enchanting aa the grey-green wastelands, framed in a blazing sky, slowly turned to a deep purple. The gently rising mist softened the outlines of the silent marshes, creating pastels of incomparable beauty. “In the compact little villages perched above high-water mark, each housing from 100 to 1500 people, are the 'homes of the farmers. They go to and from their fields in boats, transporting horses, cows’ and sheep in this way from pasture to pasture or from field to field. Besides regulation farming and fishing, the harvesting of reeds, branches of stunted willows and marsh grass is an important occupation A Primitive Life “Fishing is of great economic value, yielding the maish-Uvrollers a vital article of food. The marshes abound in fish of many kinds and the supply seems inexhaustible. There are about 4U varieties .in all, and the principal one is mudfish. Another important industry or the district is the harvesting of marsh grass. This is used principally as bedding for horsew and household uses. Sheep contrifarmers, armed with scythes, stand'in water up to their knees and mow it like hay. The grass is carried on to the nearest dry ground and piled in immense stacks on a woven platform of reeds and branches raised on piles. Flax, which is extensively grown, supplies linen for summer clothing and household uses. Sheep contribute wool for winter garments, bees provide honey, which is widely used in place' of sugar, the gardens and farms produce vegetables and poultry. “Even the farm implements are products of the country. Wooden ploughs are used, and harrows are also made of wood, their spikes being seemed with twigs. Save for a few staples such as tea, coffee, salt and the like, the marsh-dwellers have created a self-contained economy,”