Kreevins

Kreevins (Latvian: krieviņi) were Votes who lived in the proximity of Latvian town of Bauska and spoke their own dialect of Votic. In the middle of the 19th century they merged with the surrounding Latvians, although many traditional aspects of Votic culture are still preserved. The name krieviņi means "little Russians" (diminutive form) in Latvian due to their equally foreign-sounding language to Latvians.

Many early ethnologists noted the distinctive clothing of Kreevins. Many of the clothing types used by Kreevins were also in use in Ingria. Men's clothing (kiut or kiuting) was embroidered with blue and red thread. Men's shirts were fastened with ribbon instead of buttons. Men also wore jackets (viita, viite, viiten) made of woolen fabric, possibly copied from Estonian immigrants who also lived in the area. Typical Latvian clothing was also used. Kreevin women used headscarves similar to those used by Votes and Izhorians in Ingria. A decorated scarf was often worn on top of the headscarf. Younger girls had their hair plaited.

Language sample Lords Prayer Meģģi ise taiwâs! jadku elka śiwu śenna tulap meģģi tiwi śivu riikki! Śiwu meelle se iggau ka kui taiwâs ni kans ma bēli! Meģģi arma leipe anna meli tennawa. Ġedde meggi padudd, kui me jattim umili nisi meli jad! Elas meite kurja sad. Śewon wodse kurģe miusse erre Jo siula kalpap śiwu kikki śiwu appi un śiwu üwiwi śewonśe śewonśe. Amen!