A Békés Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 21. (Békéscsaba, 2000)

Kiss Anikó: Carrying loads by man-power in Gyula

Kiss Anikó Carrying loads by man-power in Gyula - Anikó Kiss Résumé We examine the customs of carrying loads by man-power in the environment of Gyula. In our study we observe the characteristic features of various ethnic groups, following the members of the body. On the top of the head only the German women carry baskets generally two-handled, made of osier. They carried curd cheese, fruits on the head. The most important device of carrying loads with hand is the basket, the 'kaska'. The one-handled basket was made by the basket-maker out of decorticated or undecorticated osier. The basket was carried in hand or their arms were pulled in it. In the clothes-basket they carried the washed clothes to the loft. In the "osier-basket" they carried heavier weights, usually two of them. They used can for carrying water and brought the drinking water from the artesian well in them. The material of the can was either enamel or tin plate. Pots are not used today. After the pig killing they put a small sample packed in glass-wiper on a plate and they brought it to the grantee. They put the food in foodcarrier for the confined women. Fodder, hay or straw are carried with dosser into the stable. During carrying sacks sometimes they used sack-carrying timber. At funerals they carried the coffin put on pole to the grave. They carry the small children on arms, if the child can hold him- or herself. On their back rather only Gipsy women bear clothes or feather. During vine-harvest men carry the grape-basket on their back, pouring out the grape from them into the open barrel. Men carry their bag across their shoulder. The corn is put in sack and carried to the loft on shoulder. Going to work sometimes they throw their tools across their shoulder. They push trolley by man-power or barrow in case of ground-work. They scarcely use them today. They rather carry something heavier on their bicycle, they do not sit on them in these cases. They pull small carriages, sleighs by man-power. A sack of wheat can be put on a small carriage. The sleigh can replace the small carriage in addition to functioning as children's winter-toy. Today in the world of cars people carry thing by man-power more and more scarcely. Translated by Attila В. Kis Anikó Kiss Erkel Ferenc Museum Gyula Kossuth Street 17 5700 236