The article discusses the functions of national music in the life of Polish minorities on the example of Belorussian minority. The author tries to show how music can exert influence on: 1) keeping national identity, 2) society in general, 3) lifestyle in society, 4) education of children, 5) celebration of holidays, 6) free time spending. The article starts with the description of three important ceremonies in the life of the Belorussian minority: wedding, funeral and Christmas. One of its main theses is that for many centuries of the Belorussian presence in Poland, the culture and identity of the minority has been maintained with significant help of its musical culture.