“Cherkashchyna” is more of a political construct than ethnographic one.  The area is considered central Podniprovia; the left bank section was historically part of Poltavshchyna, while the right bank section was Kyivshchyna.

The Cherkasy region was primarily an agricultural one, an area of rich chornozem (black soil). It was where Shevchenko grew up, Ukraine’s “heartland.”

From a folk arts perspective, the Cherkasy region is best known for its characteristic rushnyky (embroidered ritual cloths).  In the photo at the top of the page you can see a few examples (from the Cherkasy Regional Museum).  These “chernytsky” rushnyky come from the area of Chyhyryn. Other techniques of embroidery are common, too, as can be seen in these examples:

Folk costumes are also fairly characteristic of the Central Dnipro region, as in these examples of outerwear and women’s wear:

Houses in the Cherkasy region were typical of Central Podniprovia. The oblast itself is found within the lisostep (forest steppe) region of Ukraine, so wood frame and log construction were traditional. Because the amounts of wood were limited, straw, reeds, and vines were incorporated into the structures. The dominant type here was a house with with two living spaces/rooms and a storage area in between.

As in most of Ukraine, utilitarian objects are often decorated, along with walls, woodwork, etc.  This everyday chest is painted with cheerful floral designs:

Similarly, pottery and cabinets were gaily decorated:

Kylyms, woven rugs, were found in every home.  They were placed over benches, hung on walls, and even sometimes put on floors.