The aim of the six-volume series of books is to acquaint the youngest readers
with basic information about the ethnography of Poland and its regional diversity. Selected issues are presented in such a way that, while telling about past times, they arouse curiosity about what still functions and is subjected to a constant process of valuation and redefinition. Taking into account the regional, ethnic, religious and social diversity of the cultural landscape, such topics will be discussed as:
- traditional and contemporary construction
- housekeeping
- crafts and handicrafts
- everyday and festive clothing
- daily and ceremonial food
- annual rituals.
The guides in the book series are characters who relate to Polish traditional folklore, forming the so-called Etnoekipa. The characters were created on the basis of demonological figures, but their appearance and character traits are adapted to a young audience. In their company, readers will travel back in time, see the countryside from a bird's eye view, try on costumes, learn forgotten words or sample regional dishes. And who are they and where do our ethno-friends come from?
Basil: - A comforting basilisk from Krakow. He has a gentle disposition and cheerful nature, which sets him apart from his well-known ancestors. He is known for his great curiosity about the world, as well as his passion for buying glasses and taking photographs.
Buczek (related to Warmia): - is a cloche: a kind gnome and protector of the home hearth. He has big eyes and pointed ears that allow him to see and hear what others miss. He is also famous for asking a lot of questions, as this is how he deepens his knowledge of the world.
Chmurnica (related to the Subcarpathian region): - In everyday life she uses the diminutive form Chmuri. She is a dreamer and focuses on her own thoughts, so friends joke that she walks around with her head in the clouds. Perhaps there is a bit of truth in this, as she is often distracted. On the other hand, for a long time she has been organizing various expeditions and devising tour routes on her own. Proverbs are also her passion. During her travels, she takes every opportunity to learn some new saying relating, for example, to a custom, tradition or a particular region in Poland.
Bebok (a character associated with Kujawy, Silesia and Greater Poland): - for friends - Bebe. His ancestors came from Silesia and were domestic mischief-makers sowing fear among children. It was from them that he inherited lush hair and pinks. However, do not be afraid! He loves discovering mysteries and verifying existing knowledge. To do this, he reads books, goes to museums, open-air museums or other places that allow you to learn about the mysteries of the past.
We believe that learning about the old countryside together with this unusual group of friends will spark curiosity to explore the history of their region. Therefore, it is worth noting that in addition to the general scope of knowledge, the content of the series presents a regional perspective, which will help to make students curious, especially when they read about the region in which they live. The thematic division of the volumes is as follows:
VOLUME 1: "Homestead fire - where and how did they live?" - in which the subject of traditional rural housing, specifically the roads and shapes of villages, the types of homestead buildings and their purpose, and related building techniques, is covered.
VOLUME 2: "Not only in the field - how did people work in the countryside?" - introduces the ins and outs of working in the countryside during the year, especially the associated field layouts and techniques of plant cultivation, animal husbandry, tools used, as well as ways of storing crops and food.
TOM 3: "Do It Yourself - How Were Various Items Made?" - presents the occupations that were carried out in the old Polish countryside and the related issues of obtaining raw materials, their processing, the tools used, decorating and selling them at fairs and markets.
TOM 4: "Pretty and parade - what to wear?" - here traditional clothing is described with a distinction between everyday and festive ones. Methods of making clothing and headdress or shoes, its functions and differentiation by age, gender, social position and region of the country are listed and presented.
TOM 5: "What to put in the pot - how was food prepared?" - refers to the food that was eaten both daily and during holidays and fasts. It discusses the ways of obtaining said food, basic products for rural residents. In addition, the ways of storing and processing food are presented.
VOLUME 6: "Cards from the calendar - a time to celebrate." - in addition to discussing the traditional ritual year, the holidays associated with the winter, spring, summer and autumn solstice and those of various rites are described. Children learn about customs associated with spring and winter caroling and traditional secular holidays.
"Expeditions with Ethnoekipa. Get to know the old village" are books compiled according to the highest standards of academic knowledge. The authors of the books are Prof. Anna Veronika Brzezinska, Prof. Katarzyna Smyk, Dr. Katarzyna Ceklarz, Dr. Karolina Dziubata-Smykowska, Dr. Katarzyna Waszczynska. The series was created in cooperation with methodologists associated with the Center for Education Development. Ewelina Garbula is responsible for the illustrations inspired by authentic rural landscapes.
For more information, visit: etnoekipa.pl
