Footwear in Ukrainian Traditional Culture

Author

Sushko Valentyna    
a Ph.D. in History, an associate professor at the Theory and History of Arts Department of Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts

Footwear in Ukrainian Traditional Culture

Abstract

Shoes are an important part of the costume. However, the possibility of absence in the suit has led to the attitude to the footwear, which developed in folk culture, as well as in Ukrainian science.

The collection of footwear of museums of Ukraine [1; 11; 20; 24], the memorials of fine art [25], photo and cinema materials [21] have become the reason for article writing. The research of the theme chosen by us in Ukrainian ethnology has been conducted in two directions: within the framework of crafts and studies of national costume.

Shoes can be divided into: one that protects only the sole (sandals); the one that covers the foot; one that covers the foot and foot to the knee (shoes and boot); such that closes the foot and foot above the knee (boots).

Bootstrap has not been perceived as a sacred craft, but it is significant, and this value contributes to the glorification of booty and its creations, and the high cost of shoes has led to its use as an attribute of the Ukrainians family ritual as a social marker. In funeral rituals it plays a world-view role.

Shoes have been changed according to the aesthetic tastes and material conditions of the population, especially during wars, therefore during the XX century occasional return to more archaic forms have taken place.

Footwear, besides a purely functional value, is a sign of status, a characteristic feature of the person status. Shoes are considered as a social marker, emphasizing – proving – social status of the owner.

The attitude of the community to the craft and the shoemaker has been determined by the necessity to satisfy the needs of the population in the shoes: not having the status of knowing man, the boot is perceived as a typical feature of a respectable, wealthy person.

Keywords

Ukrainian traditional culture, ritual, world-view, costume, footwear, high boots, shoes.

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