Monthly Archives: September 2015

The Influence of Religion on Russian Culture

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As we have seen multiple times throughout the readings, the influence of the Church was able to penetrate nearly every aspect of Russian life. Popular culture was definitely not immune to the domination that the Church had. The strict social hierarchy that included the high social classes and the Church were very prevalent in Russian society, they were essentially in control of what would be passed down generation to generation. Since most of the literate population was somehow involved with the Church, their damnation towards minstrels and their performances led to very little historical record of them, and what remained is never very positive.

The minstrels mostly entertained local villagers, who held their performances in the highest regard. “Surviving village inventories from around the year 1500 list minstrels just as they might some priest or smith, indicating not only a tolerance for such entertainers, but also a recognition of their social station and value.” (Kaiser 131) However, since the Church disapproved of them and their, “bawdy songs”, and how they “caricatured the world around them.” (Kaiser 128) Therefore, the Church was able to end the passing down of performances since they controlled a majority of the literate population. In some cases, princes would seek to have minstrels banned, in order to preserve their social order. (Kaiser 132) Minstrels did have an effect both on the lives of the average person and they upset the elite culture.

When observing the will of Patrikei Stroev, the presence of the Church and fear of God is evident immediately. He not only begins his will with a prayer, but he also gave a village and three beehives to the Church. Meanwhile, he gives his descendants animals or money.  (Kaiser 130)

The paintings of Rublev are very similar to the paintings that would have been found in Italy during the Renaissance due to their religious nature. Art was a market that was driven by the patron, and often times, the artist themselves were deeply religious. (Kaiser 142)

Was pop culture truly representative of the people living during that time? Or is it purely whitewashed by the Church?

Works Cited

Kaiser, Daniel H. and Gary Marker. Reinterpreting Russian History: Readings, 860-1860s. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994

Religion and Pop Culture in Post-Kievan Rus’

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Religion had a very prominent role in pop culture in Post-Kievan Rus’, influencing the social structure, everyday life,  and art as well.  Churchmen and high officials were easily threatened of the toppling of the social structure throughout Rus’ and were highly cautious of the entertaining minstrels. The Rus’ minstrels were looked down upon by the church because their performances “caricatured the world around them,” ((Kaiser and Marker 128)) no doubt making fun of the church at times.  But because the church was a part of the elite society, they were able to “[prevent] the minstrels from bequeathing these performances to subsequent generations,” ((Kaiser and Marker 128)) thus displaying the church’s power to the people of Rus’.

Religion was also important in everyday life for the people of Rus’ as displayed by The Last Will and Testament of Patrikei Stroev.  Stroev introduces himself as a “slave of God” ((Kaiser and Marker 130)) and mentions the Holy Trinity throughout his will.  Interesting to note is how the first sentence of the document is as if he were saying the sign of the cross, and beginning to pray “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” ((Kaiser and Marker 130)).

Beyond influencing social structure and everyday life, religion also heavily impacted the art in Rus’, especially the artwork of Andrei Rublev.  Rublev painted to decorate the churches because his “faith overflowed from him, and inspired him in his creative achievement” ((Kaiser and Marker 142)).  Because the themes in his paintings were heavily religious, they were able to “silently [take] part in Orthodox liturgy” ((Kaiser and Marker 142)).  Rublev’s work provides evidence of a cultural awakening in the fourteenth century, after the destruction of the Mongols.

Question to consider:

Why does Stroev begin his will as if he were about to pray by using the sign of the cross?

Works Cited

Kaiser, Daniel H. and Gary Marker. Reinterpreting Russian History: Readings, 860-1860s. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.

 

 

The Novgorod Judicial Charter and the Sudbnik

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Comparing the Novgorod Judicial Charter and the Susbnik of 1497 tells us a great deal about the evolution of judicial procedures after the arrival of Ivan III. The most drastic change that the Subdnik brought was the introduction of investigations into criminal proceedings. The judicial practices outlined in the Novgorod charter follow three steps: a plaintiff levels a charge, the judge issues a decision, and the defendant is punished or exonerated for wrongdoing. The charter placed restrictions on who could serve as a witness (slaves, for instance, could only act as witnesses in cases where other slaves were being tried) and the court proceedings were threaded with religious rites and rituals.

The Sudbnik, by contrast, introduces a heierarchal judicial structure wherein boyars and major-domos administer justice and secretaries are present in all courtrooms. The sudbnik outlaws bribery and criminal charges in the name of “revenge or favor.” Notably, the document also outlines procedures for overturning unjust court proceedings and for keeping written records of trials and decisions. Even though the new judicial codes were written as the church intensified its presence in Russia, there is no religious influence on the state’s legal practices.

How does the Sudbnik compare to contemporaneous legal codes in western European states? What broader changes did Ivan III bring to Rus’ that we see reflected in his legal codes?

Russian Court Processes in the 15th Century

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Even after the Mongols retreated from the Rus lands, the economy and culture were still experiencing much turbulence. Officials attempted to rebuild their society from the devastation, and in our readings we have evidence of their attempts to restructure the legal system in the fifteenth century.

The Novgorod Judicial Charter shows us that the archbishop had power to prosecute crimes with his own church court in addition to the mayor of Novgorod’s court. In general, we see improvement in this document compared to the Pravda Russkaia; the details of the jobs of the court are more detailed and the money system for winning a trial has adapted to accommodate the accused and who gets a specific percentage of the money. ((Kaiser and Marker  109-110))

The Muscovite Judgment Charter gives us an idea of the law system in the Moscow region, a city gaining more importance in the recent centuries. It speaks a lot of disputes of land and how these were settled. Normally witnessed were brought in and gave oral testaments based on their memory of the land. These men seemed to be distinguished and longtime members of the village and were therefore trusted in their testimonies. ((Kaiser and Marker 114-115))

Ann Kleimola adds to this analysis of court processes by saying that written evidence was seen as secondly important. Charters, deeds, and other types of documents were used as evidence, but were seen as less reliable because they could be misplaced due to theft or fires. She also makes the case that since the church got involved with court processes, different religious acts were seen as very important, mainly kissing the Grand Prince’s cross and carrying icons to replace pagan practices. ((Kaiser and Marker 119-120))

 

How did the importance of the Orthodox Church change both laws and court processes since its arrival? What does this tell us of the Church’s importance in day to day life?

Why were oral testaments and witnesses the most important type of evidence for court cases?

What do the different types of written documents tell us about the people and the culture?

 

Works Cited

Kaiser, Daniel H. and Gary Marker. Reinterpreting Russian History: Readings, 860-1860s. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.

Post Kievan Rus’ economy and society

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Looking back at post Kievan Rus’ the only thing we can all agree on is that we don’t know enough. The information gathered is mangled and confusing but if looked at in depth it does give us an idea of what society was like.

In chapter seven the economy and society of post Kievan Rus is explored through a few documents. In examine these texts “the reader ought to note what the laws tell us about social differentiation, about the legal standing of women, and about the role of documentation in judicial hearings.” (109). The first is the Novgorod Judicial Charter from the late fifteenth century. Compared to the other texts we have from the Kievan Rus’ the rules seem much more modern and thoughtful. People are expected to pay different amounts as punishment for wrongdoing depending on their wealth. This idea was not present in earlier texts. It seems women were somewhat present in court cases. The charter discusses women kissing the cross in their own home, which insinuates they were not welcome in the official court but a complaint could be filed against them. It is clear that documentation was much more widely used then in previous court dealings. The use of documentation is discussed even more in the second charter. In A Muscovite Judgment Charter tells of a specific court case. In this case the use of documentation is evident and is a large part of the case. The Judge oversaw proceedings but was not the one who made the final decision. He asked questions and guided the case. The importance of “God’s justice” was also an influence.

 

What was God’s justice and what did it entail? Was it just another was for the Russian Orthodox to control the people of Rus’?

 

What does the newfound use of documentation tell us about the change the Mongols brought to Rus’?

Farmer’s Market – Charlotte, Diane, Julia, Leah

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All the way from Boiling Springs—a fifteen-minute drive from campus—to the corner of High Street and Hanover had the beets traveled into our hands. The fresh dirt clinging onto the lower stems couldn’t hide the vivid blush of the stalks and roots, and after carefully picking out five of them, we took a moment to get to know the farmer smiling behind the basketfuls of fresh farm produce at the “Farmers on the Square” in downtown Carlisle.

The stand sold a hundred-percent certified organic produce only, stated the farmer proudly upon query. Dickinson’s people had been one of the founding members of the farm, and that was why she came to the market to sell her produce—to stay closer to the college that had funded her passion. It was, according to her, also a comfortable market overall. Having experienced the relaxed, pleasant atmosphere created by the small, colorful stands of local farmers, we had little trouble connecting with her on the matter.

After a brief, hurried visit through the crowd to pick the sauce that best resembled Tabasco, and a fruitless search for lettuce heads with thirty minutes to the market’s closing, we settled for a mix of kale and chard upon coming across a table displaying piles and basketfuls of fresh greens.

When, after the purchase, asked the motivation for farming, the farmer looked flustered and thought for a while before stating: “Because I like to!” While it was a rather simple answer, no other reason had stood out to her further or brighter than joy in the activity itself, and having seen her delight in assisting everyone who passed by, we were not surprised. It was a pleasure to hear that she dedicated her time to a profession that had many benefits to the local community.

Squinting at the cluster of jalapenos in the basket to pick out the best, we queried on what type of people typically came to the market—and more specifically, to the booth. The response was just as simple and straightforward as the previous: “Hungry people.” After the short burst of merriment from everyone who was listening, he explained that it was true: people hungry for fresh organic food made up the majority of the customers. It was common for a shopper to want to have a genuine relationship with the farmer, he said, since this ensured that they knew exactly where the produce was being farmed. And that, indeed, was what made the trip to the farmer’s market in downtown Carlisle memorable to the last.

Farmer’s Market Assignment

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(Harriet, Max, Alex, Patrick, and Sarah)

At the Farmer’s market, we talked to many different vendors from all over as we worked our way through our shopping list. One of the vendors we met was selling a wide array of beautiful flowers. Michelle Elston is the owner and farmer of Roots Flower Farm, which is located in Carlisle on Walnut Bottom Road. As newcomers to the area, it was interesting for us to meet a local who was enthusiastic and involved with the community. They grow a variety of different flowers from tulips to dahlias to peonies. They also have herbs and vegetables such as basil and peppers. Despite their wide range of products, they tend to grow in smaller quantities because they prefer to conduct business locally. When asked why they chose this market their response was immediate and their passion was undeniable. While they want to make a profit, they focus on the local economy because it establishes strong relationships with clients and it helps stabilize and build the local economy. They could not give a specific description of their “typical customer,” but instead said their customers are diverse. Their ability to appeal to everyone, we think, speaks volumes to the success of their business. Apart from the their stand at the famer’s market, they also do weddings and other special events. The goal of their work is to seek a balance between “work and play, work and family, and work and rest.” Their business allows them to do something they are interested in but to also have a life outside of the farm.

From the vendor who we bought the peppers from we asked, “Who are your ‘typical’ customers?” She answered saying most of her customers are in town mothers with their children and college students. Upon further questioning we found out that the mothers often use the food they buy for home-cooked meals later that day. We then went to another vender that was selling more fruits and vegetables where we purchased carrots. As we were buying the carrots we noticed that they were also selling apples that were about twice the size of a large mans fist. In shock of the size and quality of the apples we started to talk to the vendor about them. We found out that the vendors were representatives from Peter’s Orchard, where the apples were grown. What really amazed us is that the majority of the apples grown there are sold to applesauce companies. We were unable to figure out the names of the companies unfortunately as the main representative was on the phone. Our last stop was at a stand of Amish farmers to buy tomatoes. We asked one of farmers why he farms and at first we got a simple “Cause I enjoy it.” After further encouragement we learned that it was a way of life for him and that his parents had also been farmers. He also mentioned that he provides a lot of his crops for his community. Overall, our experience at the Farmer’s market was interesting and opened our eyes to a part of Carlisle that we had not experienced before. Food clearly brings people together, especially when the food is used to support one another.

Farmers Market ” B.dot, Ronin_Actual, Swag_who,Patrick, Xiufan,

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Patrick Riley, Emily Armando, Xiufan Wu, Alvin Lecomte, Max Burrows
First Year Seminar: Modernity and Its Critics
9/21/2015

Farmers Market Assignment

Through going to Farmers on the Square Market, our group was able to engage with the vendors to gain insight about how farmers impact the Carlisle community. Our group purchased lettuce mix bags from the Conklin Farms vendor, Joe Conklin, who owns and operates his farm. Conklin Farms is located in Newville, Pennsylvania and is about ten miles away from Carlisle. Conklin Farms is a certified organic farm. Conklin explained that he is able to use pesticides, but makes the choice not to spray his produce with anything. Conklin Farms uses the manure from his animals on the farm as fertilization, while he rotates his crops and land to protect his farm. Conklin Farms continues to grow during the winter to maximize production. Farmers on the Square Market and other farmers markets provide Conklin Farms with a majority of its sales, but Conklin Farms also has deals with local restaurants and businesses. Through selling at farmers markets Conklin Farms has the goal of promoting sustainable farming. Joe Conklin reiterated that he has a passion to farm because he enjoys working outside and having the ability to grow his own food. He prefers the opportunities of farming outdoors, as opposed to a corporate job. One of the best advantages Conklin finds in owning his own farm is that he is the one in charge and there is no middle man, allowing him to sell directly to the consumer. Through learning about Conklin Farms it highlights the importance of supporting local produce, as opposed to big industry marketing.
Another farm we encountered at the farmer’s market was Three Springs Fruit Farm where we bought jalapeño peppers for our dinner. We discovered that this farm is located in Wenksville, Pennsylvania which is about twenty to twenty-five miles from Carlisle. The vendors informed us that they utilize an Integrated Pest Management System. Essentially, it is a less intensive and more affordable and sustainable system for farming. The spray they use protects roots from fungal diseases that spread after it rains. These practices are very similar to those used in organic productions. At the end of our visit, the vendor from Three Springs Fruit Farm told us that he enjoys farming because he likes the idea of continuing to grow U.S. products and wants to maintain family farming.
The last vendor we interviewed and purchased tomatoes from was Esh’s Homegrown Produce. Esh’s Homegrown produce is located in Newburg, Pennsylvania and is twenty miles away from Carlisle. This vendor informed us that all the vendors that sell at Farmers on the Square Market are all located within fifty miles of Carlisle. This vendor related to us that he continues to sell at this farmers market because it remains a good place to do his job and sell his produce and it gives the back to community by selling fresh produce. Lastly, Esh’s Homegrown Produces’ vendor informed us their typical buyers are local customers who want to buy produce directly from the farm. By talking with multiple vendors and seeing people from town supporting local farms, it illustrated how significant this opportunity was to gain a real world experience and learn through the perspectives of the farmers.

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Farmer’s Market Write-Up (Mollie, Sophie, Long, Spencer, Mychal)

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We started out at the Piney Mountain Orchard stand, where we bought some fresh cherry tomatoes. The people there told us that the farm where they grow the produce is located in Adams City, about twelve miles south of Carlisle. They arrived at the farmer’s market around one to two o’clock p.m. with the produce that they picked the day before and the morning of the market. The orchard uses compost and organic fertilizer and is certified naturally grown. When asked about the family’s history with farming, the woman at the stand said her parents were not farmers. At Piney Mountain, the farmers experiment with different produce and grow what they enjoy growing. There are varied difficulties when it comes to the crops, with garlic being the easiest to grow. Some freshmen from Dickinson even helped plant produce at the orchard.

Jess works at Three Springs Fruit Farm as a secretary in the office, but she goes to two markets every two weeks. This week’s, in Carlisle is the closest to the farm. Though they sell a variety of vegetables, fruit and juices they have a beautiful display of apples. From the well known honey-crisp to gala apples, she says their fruit sells best. The farm itself is a Pennsylvania farm of gardens and is owned by her boyfriends family. She says she’s happy to be involved with it. She enjoys working the stands, and describes diverse marketers: college students, families and retirees. This was exemplified in a couple we met at the next stand over as we waited in line. After overhearing that we needed beef, they (only half-kidding) suggest we purchase rabbit instead. They come to the market every week, as they live within walking distance. Retired now, they feed themselves for the week off of what they purchase at the farmers market.

We ended our journey to the farmers market with Addiction Salsa. The women working the stand told us that she has been making salsa for her family for over twenty-five years. However she has only started selling her salsa at the market for the past four years. The women who started Addiction Salsa explained how she goes to another farmer in order to get her tomatoes. Unlike the other farmers we talked to the women and she could not guarantee that her salsa would be organic. She told us that she perfected her method of making salsa (after twenty-five years) and only uses a specific kind of tomato. There were free samples of salsa being passed and after tasting them we are sure that Addiction Salsa makes some of the best salsa in all of Carlisle.

 

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Farmer’s Market (Group: Jacob, Kayleigh, Naji, Ali, and Thomas)

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At the Farmer’s Market, we talked to three different vendors and asked them questions about their farming practices and the way that the Farmer’s Market impacts them and the Carlisle community. First we talked to a vendor who sold us cherry tomatoes. They were from the farm Prescott’s Patch, and they were selling a wide variety of produce. We asked them where their farm is located, and how long of a drive it was for them to come to Carlisle. Their farm is located in Bainbridge, Pennsylvania, which is a 45 minute drive away. They come that distance just to sell at the Farmer’s Market, showing that it is an important event for people in the surrounding area, not just in Carlisle. Even though this farmer’s market isn’t very large, it is a staple of the Carlisle community. According to the Farmer’s Market website, a version of this market was held in the same location from 1751-1952, showing a strong tradition of the buying and selling of local food.

Next, we talked to a vendor selling different varieties of meat. We asked him about his farming practices and how he transports his meat from his farm to the Farmer’s Market. He told us that he freezes the meat in order to keep it fresh. He didn’t completely answer the question, but he also seemed confused about why we were questioning him. We bought ground beef from him, but he was also selling some more unusual products like rabbit and quails eggs, things that would be very hard to find at a grocery store.

Last we talked to Peter’s Orchard, a large vendor selling a variety of fruits. We bought a bag of peaches from them, and asked them if they do all of their selling through farmer’s markets. They said no, and that there is a location near Gettysburg where they sell a large amount of their produce. We found it interesting that a larger orchard like this would choose to sell their produce in such a small venue when they have other options, but perhaps it is profitable for them to sell in a variety of small venues.

Overall, it was very interesting to talk to the different vendors at the Farmer’s Market and see what local farmers had to offer. This market is a valuable resource for the Carlisle community and various other locations in Pennsylvania as it draws in farmer’s from the surrounding area to provide fresh, local food for the people of Carlisle.