Belarusians
Belarusians, also spelt Belarussians, Byelorussians and Belorussians are a distinct ethnic group of East Slavs who are the major population of Belarus, also being minorities in the neighboring Poland (especially Bialystok province), Russia, Lithuania and Ukraine. Noticeable numbers are in emigration in the USA and Canada.
The prefix "Bela" can be translated into 'White' so these people are sometimes called White Russians though not to be confused with the political group of white Russians that opposed Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War. This was in use in the west for a short time in history, together with White Ruthenes and similar forms. See Ruthenia#Belarusians.
The Belarusian people trace their distinct culture to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Rus' and Samogitia. For quite a long time they were mostly known under the name of litvins, which refers to the state of Lithuania (Litva).
Belarusians enjoyed independent statehood briefly after the Russian Revolution and presently after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
See also
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