Gecse Annabella et al. (szerk.): Tisicum - A Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Megyei Múzeumok Évkönyve 18. (Szolnok, 2009)

Néprajz - Szonda István: Társadalmi struktúrák az endrődi lábbelikészítő kisiparban a XX. század első feléig

Tisicum XVIII,

István Szonda

Social structures in the shoe-making handicraft of Endrőd until the half of the 20th century

The examination of social structures in connection with craftsmen offers a complex and authenticated picture in case of village handicraft. At the classification of the foot- wear-making society, the trade guild traditions, the dynastic characteristics, the operational process of production and the role of family division of labour should be taken into consideration. An important criterion of workers of the shoe-making industry is that they represented a thin social layer between peasantry and the village elite, but closer to peasantry. Moreover, a certain transition could be observed between footgear-making craftsmen and village farmers.

First generation tradesmen were in close relation with peasantry not only because of their origin, but also because the duality of their organisation of labour (industrial activity - farming) and the underdevelopment of industrialist system

of values. The group of first generation shoe-makers became more populous during the first half of the 20th century because of the lack of arable land. This layer of apron-men were not stable because only few of them could start their own independent businesses so most of them worked as helpers, garret-craftsmen or home-workers at bigger, better- off dynastic workshops.

The deeper examination of the social structures of craftsmen offers important contribution to the understanding and further exploration of village industry. The analysis of the social structures of the shoe-making population of Endrőd flashed a beam of light on the peculiarities of the organisation of labour and marriage customs. Similar examinations of other village trades would also be desirable, because it would help the understanding of the social system of village communities.

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