A plural form referring to multiple fraternal brotherhoods or Slavic military-religious organizations.
From Russian and Slavic bratstvo (brotherhood), with the -a ending indicating plural form in many Slavic languages. These organizations historically formed close bonds similar to monastic orders but with military functions.
In medieval Russia, fraternities called bratstva combined elements of monasteries and military units, protecting cities and trading routes while living under strict codes of brotherhood—like medieval special forces groups.
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