Dziady (wandering beggars)

Dziady (plural, lit. old men, beggars; singular: dziad), also dziady proszalne (begging dziady) or dziad kalwaryjski (calvarian dziad) was a term commonly used in many regions of Poland (as well as in other Slavic countries) to refer to wandering beggars. Calling beggars dziady was associated with the idea that they have mediumship skills, are a kind of link with the otherworld and representatives of the dead (dziady-ancestors).