The functional structure of the craft productions for the processing of plant raw materials in the traditional economy of the Mordvins

Introduction. The article is devoted to the analysis of the functional structure of craft industries associated with the processing of vegetable fibers at Mordvins in the late XIX - early XX century. The study of this problem is necessary in order to analyze the socio-economic state of the whole complex of economy in the period under review and the trends of its development. It is supposed to consider the level of development of the studied types of craft industries, to identify the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of their production and economic base, as well as their importance for the traditional economy of the Mordvins. Materials and methods. The main method used in writing the article is the comparative-historical method. This will allow us to trace the forms of existence and functions of the components that make up the structure of the traditional crafts of the Mordvins, as well as to identify trends in changes occurring with them. This method will be supplemented by analysis of historiographical works and sources, as well as by methods of field research. Results. The development of commodity-money relations in the Russian economy of the late XIX - early XX century led to a wide spread of various types of handicraft production. The Mordvins were mainly developed local crafts, including those related to the processing of vegetable fiber. They had a sufficiently developed functional structure, which included not only the direct production of products from linen and hemp fibers, but also the tools used in this production, cultivation and primary processing of the necessary raw materials, the sale of finished products. Discussion and Conclusions. Despite the fact that the processing of hemp and flax in the Mordvins in the XIX - early XX century was well developed, it did not go beyond the home crafts in which only family members worked. It was they who held the whole functional structure of these crafts. Only the production of ropes reached the level of the cottage industry. This was of great importance for the economy of the Mordvins peasants and brought a significant part of the family's income, and sometimes it was the main means of its existence.