Suonatori ambulanti all'estero nel XIX secolo: considerazioni sul caso della val Graveglia

The essay describes the itineraries and the activity of the street musicians, born in Val Graveglia (Eastern Liguria) and directed mainly to London, Paris and Hamburg. Peddling professions were undergoing changes in mid-XIXth century and new directions were opened also to strolling musicians in Europe and overseas. Street musicians employed children, particularly of poor families, and sometimes exploited them through the 'padrone' system. Child engages was tolerated also by local authorities, at least until the 1873 Law against the employment of children in wandering professions. The activity of street musicians became more profitable and a variant of temporary migration. Close relations with with the villages of origin were mantained by sending home sistematically the earnings and keeping strong family and kin ties among the members.