A Békés Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 28. (Békéscsaba, 2006)

B. Szűcs Irén: The habit of „kommendálás” among the Hungarians of Békés county

A kommendálás szokása a Békés megyei magyarok körében In traditional cultures, through the centuries, until the middle of the 20th century the habit of „kommendálás" was a living habit - in Békés county this habit survived mostly among the Hungarian population. „Kommendálás" was typically done by middle aged or even older women who performed their task according to the expectations and habits of the community. It was especially the rich families that made use of their services because a long time ago most of the marriages were built on rational considerations and with financial gain in mind. The young living on small farms and the for some reasons disadvantaged ones were squeezed out of the usual forms of amusement and making contacts, and often employed a go-between. Poor peasants, day workers and agricultural workers didn't have to consider financial reasons in choosing their partner, they could choose freely considering only their personal attractions. In the first half of the 20th century the go-betweens - various local terms were used for this profession among the folk in the Hungarian speaking world were compensated for the trouble they've taken often in agricultural products or clothing. If they managed to bring a marriage to an especially advantageous conclusion, they were invited to the wedding as well. B. Szűcs Irén Jantyik Mátyás Múzeum H-5630 Békés, Széchenyi tér 6. E-mail: jantyikmuzeumgaleria@citromail. hu 159