ühisahkord

Ühisahkord is an Estonian term that translates to "shared plow" or "communal plowing." Historically, it refers to a system of agricultural cooperation where villagers would pool their resources, particularly draft animals and plows, to cultivate their fields. This practice was prevalent in traditional Estonian agrarian societies, especially in regions where individual landholdings were small and the cost of owning and maintaining a plow and oxen or horses was prohibitive for many households.

The ühisahkord system fostered a sense of community and mutual support. Farmers would take turns using the shared equipment or work together on each other's plots in a coordinated effort. This not only ensured that all land was plowed in a timely manner, facilitating the agricultural cycle, but also reduced the physical burden on individual farmers and their families. The system often involved established routines and agreements within the village, managed through community decision-making processes. While the specific arrangements varied, the core principle remained the collective use of essential agricultural tools to maximize efficiency and ensure the sustenance of the community. With the advent of mechanization and changes in agricultural practices, the traditional ühisahkord system has largely fallen into disuse.