Dereviane

The Dereviane were an East Slavic tribe that inhabited territories around modern-day Polesia, primarily in what is now northern Ukraine and southern Belarus. Their name is derived from the Slavic word derevo meaning "tree," reflecting their forested homeland and likely their dependence on forestry.

Historically, the Dereviane are primarily known from the Primary Chronicle, the major source for the history of the East Slavs. According to the chronicle, they were a relatively independent and self-governing tribe who practiced pagan customs. They are described as living in a manner similar to beasts, killing each other and eating unclean things. This description, typical of the Primary Chronicle's portrayals of tribes not yet Christianized, may be exaggerated or simply reflecting cultural differences.

The Dereviane are most famous for their role in the death of Prince Igor of Kyiv in 945 CE. After Igor attempted to collect tribute twice from them in the same year, the Dereviane, led by their Prince Mal, ambushed and killed him. This event prompted Igor's widow, Olga, to enact a brutal revenge, effectively subjugating the Dereviane through a series of cunning and violent acts described in detail in the Primary Chronicle.

Following Olga's reprisals, the Dereviane were gradually incorporated into the Kievan Rus', losing their tribal independence. Their lands became part of the Kyivan principality, and they were eventually assimilated into the broader East Slavic population. Over time, their distinct tribal identity faded, contributing to the formation of the Ukrainian and Belarusian ethnicities. While not much specific detail is known about their culture or social organization beyond what is mentioned in the Primary Chronicle, their story highlights the complex and often violent processes by which the Kyivan Rus' expanded and consolidated its power over the East Slavic tribes.