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 nomadic beggars. Calling beggars dziady was associated with the idea that they have mediumship skills, are a kind of link with the "other world" and representatives of the dead (dziady-ancestors).