“Craft” is a word that has long been used to denote any occupation by which a person lives. Many have heard the expression "fishing" or "folk fishing." How did the meaning of this word develop? What activities does it apply to?
Definition of a concept
The first meaning of the word “fishing” is the extraction of something. Often it was used as a synonym for the word “deed”. It denoted the main occupation of man, which served for him as a source of subsistence. It could be hunting, fishing, followed by the sale or exchange of what was mined.
So, there was fishing, seal, whale and other industries. But fishing is not necessarily hunting. The word refers to deforestation, the extraction of minerals, as well as various crafts, for example, weaving, pottery, wood carving, etc. Thus, the concept means either obtaining what nature has created, or creating something with your own hands in order to provide for yourself and your family.
To “engage in something” was to engage in fishing. Later, the phrase began to be used in a figurative meaning with a negative connotation and meant engaging in fraud or something vile, reprehensible.
From industry to industry
The oldest crafts are fishing, stewardship and hunting. In the northern regions, the main means of survival was whaling, hunting for seals, deer and fur animals. In the Far East, maral root, ginseng and other medicinal plants, berries and mushrooms were harvested. Prospecting or gold mining became more and more popular. They were engaged in cone-bobbing, weaving, shoe-making, jewelry and blacksmithing, and mined mummies.
Gradually, the volumes of extraction and production increased. In the 19th century, factories and plants arose, replacing single manual labor with machine-made production. The word "craft" has grown into "industry." Large enterprises of the mining type have appeared, which are engaged in mining, oil production, etc.
Weaving has grown into the textile industry, and shoemaking into the shoe industry, carving and wood processing is reflected in the furniture industry. Despite this, some crafts have remained to this day.
Arts and crafts
Applied art is called folk craft. It is part of tradition and culture and often has a narrow regional character, characteristic only for a particular area.
An old Russian craft is Gzhel - a blue painting of white porcelain. It originated in the villages of the Gzhel volost of the Moscow province in the XVIII century. Other famous folk activities of Russia: Zhostovo trays, Khokhloma, Dymkovo toys, Gorodets painting on wood, embroidered Pavlosad scarves and the manufacture of Tula samovars.
Making nesting dolls has also become a folk craft. The lesson became popular thanks to the artist Malyutin, who showed his invention at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. The doll reliably "settled" in Russian culture and is associated with Russia in all countries of the world.