Burlak

This article is about an occupation. For surname, see Burlak (surname).
Burlaks on the Volga (painting by Ilya Repin, 1870–73)
"Ej, uhnem!" by Feodor Chaliapin
1902 Song of the Volga Boatmen record by Feodor Chaliapin
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A burlak (Russian: бурла́к, IPA: [bʊrˈlak]) was a river boat or barge puller in the Russian Empire. It was a seasonal occupation.[1]

Burlaks as an occupation appeared in Russia at the end of 16th century and beginning of the 17th century. With the expansion of freight-hauling, the number of burlaks increased. With the proliferation of steamships the demand in burlaks diminished and they basically disappeared by the end of the 19th century.[1]

  1. ^ a b Виноградовв Д. В.,История бурлачества в России, Korea Open Access Journals. 2018, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 197–226