Malikov V. Customary Law Institute of Hiring Labourers in Ukrainian Ethnoculture of the second half of 19th - early 20th centuries

This thesis offers complex study of the essence, significance and functioning of customary law institute of hiring in Ukrainian ethnoculture. The institute is analysed as a system of interconnected customary law ideas and norms, terms of agreement, ritual practices, social and gender roles, forms of organization, labour activity and lore concerning the hiring agricultural workers. The study reveals basic components of labour contract and analyzes special features of relations between wage labourers and masters and their regulation according to customary law norms. Traditional ideas of Ukrainians concerning social roles in domestic, communal and labour relations influenced spheres of men and women farm labour, availabilities of their workforces implementation, terms of labour and rewards, measures of rights and obligations. These ideas in customary-law relations of hiring consolidated the status of women and children as deficient labourers comparatively to men. The results of research show that customs of worker self-organization were aimed to secure successful execution of hired labour and to harmonize the relations between labourers and masters and within the working association. The objectives of the research are Ukrainian peasantry's world-view and customary law conceptions that played fundamental role in the relations of hiring, social and law status of wage labourers. It also focuses on the examination of the consequences of this tradition on the social life of peasant community.Agricultural ritualism including magic rituals subserved proper regulation of hiring and accomplishment of works as well as labour contract compliancy. Drawing upon research it becomes clear that the functioning of examined tradition of hiring labourers was based on established customary law and economic practices, social and gender roles that are embedded in Ukrainian traditional culture. Moreover, the customary law practice of hiring labourers had a great impact on core values and relationships within peasant community. Key words: customary law, wage labourer, institute of hiring labourers, hiring contract, socialization, Ukrainian ethnoculture.