Sometimes a team of human pullers did the job when animals were not available.
Barge Haulers on the Volga by Ilya Repin, 1870.
Many burlaki were hired during winter, a time when prices fell and the haulers needed advance payment.
Burlaki were paid only at the end of the season, so most came homealready in debt.
Burlaki women on Volga River.
Burlaki men on Volga River.
By the beginning of the 20th century, burlaki had mostly disappeared.
Burlaki by Vasily Vereshchagin, 1866.
Barge Haulers wading by Ilya Repin, 1872.
