Volume 5. Krakow part. I

The Complete Works vol. 5: The Cracow Region part 1. Wrocław – Poznań 1962, pp. VIII+380, illustrations, two color plates. Photo-offset re-edition; first edition: Cracow  1871.

The first part of the regional monograph covers the area surrounding Cracow on both sides of the Vistula River - from Przemsza in the west, to Proszowice and Niepołomice Forest in the east. It is one of the most thoroughly explored and described regions. Kolberg was in close touch with the area (frequent field trips in his early research period, friendship with the Konopka family from Mogilany and Modlnica where he settled in 1871 and from where he moved to Cracow in 1884). He acquired some devoted co-workers there, had numerous contacts with research and literary community of the town, had access to suitable research facilities (Academy of Arts and Sciences, libraries, archives) and abundant literature on the subject. In accordance with Kolberg’s layout, the volume includes: a historical, topographical and demographic description with a discussion of the groups of people in question, information about costumes, food, dwellings and occupations, a broad chapter devoted to annual customs, and a description of games and entertainments. Besides his own observations and data received from local informants, Kolberg utilized numerous literature in this volume: works of ancient time researchers (A. Grabowski, J. Łepkowski, J. Mączyński), folkloristic and ethnographic studies (among others those of K W. Wójcicki, Ł. Gołębiowski, L. Siemieński, J. Grajnert, J. Konopka, M. Mioduszewski, W. Anczyc, W. Pol), and also information from the press. An exceptional richness of the source material presented in the volume constitutes a reflection of a specific culture of the region, abundant, because of Cracow’s historical - monumental quality, in numerous legends and traditional city customs. The book is richly illustrated; it includes pictures (two color ones, among others) based on drawings of W. Gerson and T. Konopka, and photographs of W. Rzewuski, which present costumes and their details as well as ethnographic objects (buildings, utensils, tools).