The article presents the main principles underlying the Slavic Linguistic Atlas (SLA) and emphasizes the signifi cance of this joint project, initiated in 1958 and carried out by linguists from various countries, for research on diachronic and synchronic linguistics. The text contains a concise description of the 10th volume of the Atlas, which is devoted to the elements of Slavic culture related to customs. It discusses the way in which the material has been grouped in the Atlas and points to the diversity of problems raised and ways of mapping a number of important phenomena.