Neija

Neija is a toponym applied to several small settlements and geographical features in Eastern Europe and Africa. The most frequently cited reference is a village in the Narew County of Poland, located within the Podlaskie Voivodeship. This Neija lies approximately 12 kilometres southeast of the county capital, Wysokie Mazowieckie, and 45 kilometres north-west of Białystok. According to the latest national census, the population of this settlement is under 200 residents, with agriculture and forestry as the primary local industries.

In neighbouring Latvia, a settlement known locally as Nēja exists within the Bauska Municipality. The Latvian name is pronounced roughly “nay-ya” and the village is situated on the Nēja River, a tributary of the Lielupe. The area is notable for its wetland ecosystems, which host a variety of bird species including the white-tailed eagle and the black stork.

There are also references to a place named Neija in the Republic of the Congo, situated within the Haut-Ogooué Department. This Neija is a small community in a densely forested area of Central Africa, and it is referenced in some administrative documents as a local district centre.

In addition, the term Neija is occasionally used informally to refer to a traditional folk dance performed in certain Baltic communities. The dance is typically performed in groups and is characterised by brisk, rhythmic footwork and the use of wooden clogs. The dance, however, is not officially documented in any national cultural registry and is considered part of an informal folk tradition.