Ethnographic Series One

In late 1993, Ukraine released a new series of definitive stamps to replace the Narbut series. The series has the general name of "ethnographic scenes." Ethnography in this case is meant to be descriptive accounts of cultural groups.

The stamps represent:

• Hay-cutters (kosari) from Bukovyna Region. The scythes they are using are called "kosi."
• Chumak salt traders from Sloboszanka Region. These medieval salt traders travelled to the Crimea to bring back salt and other trade goods. Atop the lead wagon is their rooster mascot.
• Shepherd from Tavria Region, near the Black Sea. The name for a shepherd in Ukrainian is "chaban." He's playing on a reed pipe called a sopilka. In the background rises an ancient burial mound called a kurgan, atop which stands a kamyana baba. The kamyana baba, or stone lady, was typically in the form of a naked and sometimes pregnant woman.
• Women reapers (zhnitsi) from Cherkasyh Region
• The last two stamps are repeats of the sheep herder and the reapers