Burlak

Burlaks on the Volga (painting by Ilya Repin, 1870–73)

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