Polans (eastern)

The Polans (Polish: Polanie, roughly translated as "people of the fields" or "plains dwellers") were a West Slavic tribe inhabiting the plains of the Warta River basin in what is now Greater Poland, starting in the 6th century. They were one of the key tribes whose federation gave rise to the Polish state in the 10th century.

The term "eastern" is often added to differentiate them from other Slavic tribes who bore similar or related names. Their primary settlements were located in Giecz, Poznań, Gniezno, and Kruszwica. Archaeological evidence suggests a complex society with fortified settlements and established trade routes.

The Polans played a crucial role in the development of the Polish identity and the unification of other West Slavic tribes in the region. The Piast dynasty, which originated from among the Polans, established the first Polish kingdom and played a dominant role in shaping Poland's political and cultural landscape for centuries.

Their conversion to Christianity in 966 under Mieszko I marked a significant turning point in Polish history, aligning the nascent state with Western European culture and politics. The legacy of the Polans continues to be an important element of Polish national identity and historical narrative.