Chumak Supper by Opanas Zalyvakha, 1980s
Chumaks were a merchant class in Ukraine in the late Medieval and early Modern periods of history. They delivered goods (particularly salt and dried fish from the sea coast) for the purpose of long-distance sales using carts harnessed to oxen.
Chumaks prospered until the end of the 19th century, when competition from railroads made longer trade-routes unprofitable.
In the Ukrainian language the Milky Way is called the Chumaks' Way.















