Forgotten Russian professions: why children were afraid of chimney sweeps, and adults were distrustful of women

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Scientific development and the emergence of machines send many of the once popular professions and crafts into oblivion. The progress of modern society is aimed at eliminating manual labor and reducing physical activity in the name of accelerating productivity. But professions from the past are experience and history, so many of them are not only not forgotten, but also revived.

Demand for urban water carriers

There were no problems with drinking water in Russian villages, because a well was dug in almost every courtyard. The situation was different in cities where potable water was brought in. The water carrier was responsible for the delivery. In order to do this business, it was necessary to have horses, a cart and a voluminous barrel.

In large cities, there were several types of water: in green barrels, water for technical needs was brought from rivers and canals, in white ones - drinking water. The water carrier's companion was often a dog, announcing the arrival of the residents by barking. The water carriers earned good money, taking advantage of the hopeless situation of the townspeople, who were ready to pay for clean water that was difficult to access in the central densely populated areas. In large cities, the profession was in demand until the appearance of central water supply systems in the early 20th century.

Secret duties of orderlies

Under the officers of the Russian army, servants, called orderlies, were on permanent service. Their duties included reporting to the subordinate orders of the officer, keeping his uniform and boots clean, in some cases performing the duties of a bodyguard. Under Peter I, this post was considered prestigious; not only commoners, but also representatives of noble families became orderlies. Officer assistants of this period were engaged in diplomatic and secret assignments of the king. At the end of the 19th century, orderlies died, but unofficially, the "profession" existed in the Great Patriotic War, where the traditional duties of orderlies were performed by drivers.

Synchronous labor of barge haulers

Since the 16th century, heavy burlak labor has been widely used in Russia. Hired workers from the poor united in the so-called artels and, with the help of a rope, dragged river ships along the coast. This work was considered seasonal: barge haulers were in demand in autumn and spring. Their work was extremely hard physically and was additionally exhausting in its monotony. The speed of the vessel's movement depended not only on the efforts of the barge haulers, but also on the direction of the wind. A fair wind raised the sail on the ship, which greatly simplified the movement. But such a case was considered luck.

Traditionally, the working mood of the barge haulers was supported by songs. Moreover, they were sung with special intent: the song rhythm helped to coordinate common efforts. With the advent of steamships, the burlak labor turned out to be unnecessary, and in 1929 the Soviet government completely banned the use of burlak traction by a separate decree.

However, burlak labor was used to a limited extent during the Great Patriotic War on small rivers, where there were no tugs.

Chimney sweeps used to scare children

In Russian homes, disobedient children were often frightened by chimney sweeps black with soot. Traditionally, these workers were presented in the form of silent, sullen and filthy men engaged in some kind of secret work hidden from view. Nobody usually saw the result of their work, because it was difficult to check the condition of the chimneys and chimneys.

Not everyone could get through the chimneys, so only a thin, tendonous man could become a chimney sweep. This profession came to Russia at the beginning of the 18th century with the appearance of the first hearths with a chimney. A corresponding position was even introduced at the police stations. The kiln cleaner uniform was usually a practical black suit and slippers that could be easily knocked off their feet in the process.

Who was taken as a lamplighter

For the first time, lantern lighting on Russian streets appeared in St. Petersburg at the dawn of the 18th century. At first, the lights were lit in the dark only on special days and, as a rule, only in the central part of the city. But by 1720 the number of lanterns approached half a thousand. Special people were required for their regular maintenance. So the lamplighters appeared, whose duties included lighting the lamps in the evening and extinguishing them in the morning.

In addition, the lanterns were filled with special oil, because the gas system was used later. This business was not done without theft. To stop the theft, turpentine was added to it, and later it was completely replaced with kerosene. In the 30s of the last century, primitive street lighting disappeared, giving way to electricity. Together with him, the profession of a lamplighter has sunk into oblivion.

Saddlery in Russia tends to revive

The dying professions include the craft of a saddler - masters of making lateral horse eyecups to limit the angle of view (blinders). However, such a specialist was also engaged in the manufacture of other horse ammunition: saddles, bridles, stirrups. Saddlers have been known since the days of Ancient Rus. These craftsmen were especially revered by the Cossacks, because their life often depended on the quality of the harness.

Saddlery was a family affair and, as a national craft, was passed down through the generations. This work required skillful hands and a lot of skills. The success of the business depended, first of all, on the correct choice of leather for future products. The reliability of the ammunition was influenced by each individual rivet and each stitch on the belt. And all this with only the most primitive tools. Each saddler relied on family experience, obeying proven signs and rules. For example, they tried to bend the arcs only on the days of summer sap flow, and dried the skin exclusively in the shade.

The progenitors of speculators are ofeni

In the pre-revolutionary period in Russia there was a special caste of wandering small traders - ofeni. Usually spontaneous trade was carried out at fairs and squares, sometimes peddlers (another name for traders) came with offers of sales directly to their homes. Unlike the merchants, the oseni did not pay any taxes and did not obey the established procedures.

Such entrepreneurship did not arouse much respect in society, and merchants were often persecuted. Children of professional offices were trained to entice buyers and sell them goods with multiple markups. And although the people were wary of the women, when an airborne trader appeared on the street, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd.

The wandering idiots were not only a source of new things, but a connection with the world, news and gossip carriers. With the development of the centralized production of goods, trade also developed, migrating from bazaars to shops. The most successful women, who managed to save up capital, followed the same path. The rest were out of work. The final point in the matter was put by the government that came in 1917, which outlawed private entrepreneurship.

In Soviet times, people were taught the thesis "all professions are important." And they helped in this matter propaganda posters dedicated to study and career choice.