Ethnographic Studies of Khrysanf Yashchurzhynskyi in Uman Region (1911-1923)

Keywords: Khrysanf Yashchurzhynskyi, ethnography, Uman region, archeology, monument protection

Abstract

Well-known archaeologist, ethnographer, and local historian Khrysanf Petrovych Yashchurzhynskyi left a significant mark in Ukrainian history with his work. His pedagogical activity, archeological researches, and publications of ethnographic materials are reflected in the works of modern scholars. However, in the biography of the scholar, the least studied period is his life in the village of Molodetske in Uman region (1911-1923). There are very few sources about this period of Khrysanf Yashchurzhynskyi life. However, the transactions of Uman Branch of Kyiv Society for the Preservation of Ancient and Artistic Monuments, as well as the letters of Khrysanf Petrovych Yashchurzhynskyi, deposited in the archives, in combination with the diaries of P.F. Kurinnyi, give the opportunity to get detailed information about the scholar.

The little-known facts of the biography of Chrysanthus Aserinsky in the period of 1911-1923, during his stay in the village of Molodetske in Uman region, are highlighted in the publication, and the main directions of scholar’s ethnographic that time studies of Uman region are analyzed.

It is noted that on the initiative of Khrysanf Yashchurzhynskyi, a Society for the Preservation of Monuments was founded in Uman. Khr. Yashchurzhynskyi was actually the chairman of the society. The society was engaged in collecting information about historical sites, mounds, settlements; studying topography, ramparts, and fortifications of old Uman; studying Koliivshchyna; collecting documents and folk tales; collecting music pieces and folklore materials. Khrysanf Petrovych Yashchurzhynskyi worked on a program of the ethnographic study of the region, which he planned to send to priests and teachers in the region.

The most productive society worked in 1913-1916. During that time, the work was carried out to find archival documents on the history of Uman, some ancient monuments (churches, mounds, tombstones, and buildings) were examined, and archaeological tours and expeditions were undertaken. Khrysanf Yashchurzhynskyi regularly reported during the meetings of the society on the results of his own ethnographic studies in Uman region.

Since 1917 Khr. Yashchurzhynskyi, due to ill health, withdrew from active work in the society. However, he continued to be interested in monument protection in Uman region and helped to establish a museum in Uman. Because of the limited source base on the life of Khrysanf Petrovych Yashchurzhynskyi after 1911, four letters of the scholar (of 1914, 1917, and 1918) are included in the paper.

The little-known facts of the biography of Chrysanthus Aserinsky in the period of 1911-1923, during his stay in the village of Molodetske in Uman region, are highlighted in the publication, and the main directions of scholar’s ethnographic that time studies of Uman region are analyzed.

It is noted that on the initiative of Chrysanthus Aserinsky, a Society for the Preservation of Monuments was founded in Uman. Chr. Aserinsky was actually the chairman of the society. The society was engaged in collecting information about historical sites, mounds, settlements; studying topography, ramparts, and fortifications of old Uman; studying Koliivshchyna; collecting documents and folk tales; collecting music pieces and folklore materials. Chrysanthus Petrovich Aserinsky worked on a program of the ethnographic study of the region, which he planned to send to priests and teachers in the region.

The most productive society worked in 1913-1916. During that time, the work was carried out to find archival documents on the history of Uman, some ancient monuments (churches, mounds, tombstones, and buildings) were examined, and archaeological tours and expeditions were undertaken. Chrysanthus Aserinsky regularly reported during the meetings of the society on the results of his own ethnographic studies in Uman region.

Since 1917 Chr. Aserinsky, due to ill health, withdrew from active work in the society. However, he continued to be interested in monument protection in Uman region and helped to establish a museum in Uman. Because of the limited source base on the life of Chrysanthus Petrovich Aserinsky after 1911, four letters of the scholar (of 1914, 1917, and 1918) are included in the paper.

References

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Published
13.01.2021
How to Cite
Opatskyi, I. (2021). Ethnographic Studies of Khrysanf Yashchurzhynskyi in Uman Region (1911-1923). Eminak: Scientific Quarterly Journal, (4(32), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.33782/eminak2020.4(32).466
Section
History of Ukraine