Religion:Kriwe-Kriwajto

Scholars: sculptural group depicting an ancient Latvian Kriwe pondering the mysteries of existence, accompanied by a modern writer and a modern scientist sheltering at his feet beneath his cloak (a metaphor for his status combining the roles of proto-artist and proto-scientist) - one of the reliefs adorning Riga's Freedom Monument

Kriwe-Kriwajto (Latvian: Krīvu krīvs, Lithuanian: Krivių krivaitis) also known as Kriwe (Latvian: Krīvs, Lithuanian: Krivis), was the chief priest in the Prussian mythology. He lived in the Prussian sanctuary Romuva that was a central worship place in the region and once a capital city of Prussia. Kriwe-Kriwajto was one of the most influential persons in the Prussian society and people from all of their tribes visited Romuva to make sacrifices. He was responsible for all the major rituals and his influence was recognized by other tribes of Balts, such as Curonians and Lithuanians.

Some historians, rather, present the theory that Krivis was a name for a specific person made up by the chroniclers. Others present that the Krivis instead was a community officer, that had the right to call up a grand meeting (Krivulė).

Origins

According to legend, the first Kriwe-Kriwajto (criwo cyrwaito) was Bruteno - one of the legendary kings of Prussia alongside his youngest brother Widewuto. He was responsible for the religious life in Prussia. At the end of their lives, both legendary brothers burned themselves in a religious ceremony in Romuva temple. Kriwe-Kriwajto had dozens of lower rank priests, such as wajdelotas, who assisted him in the rituals and were responsible for the burning of the holy fire under the sacred oak in Romuva.