Name
In 1339, the first mention of Kys Folud, a small settlement in a vast forest, appears. Its inhabitants, through hard work, cleared the area and made the soil fertile with small wooden houses. Despite its size, it lacked a church. The name evolved over the years, and this Kisfalud, located near Boldogasszonyfa and Vásárosbéc, might be the precursor to today's Zselickisfalud. During the Ottoman rule from 1555, including the period when Kaposvár fell, Kisfalud persisted with inhabitants. By 1695, it became a partial property of the Esterházy family and, later, part of their endowment. The Esterházy family retained ownership until nationalization after World War II. [2]
History
Remains of fortifications from the Hungarian conquest era can be found on Castle Hill to the east of the village. Written records confirm that Zselickisfalud was already inhabited in the 13th century. Beekeeping has been a traditional activity here since ancient times, with former royal beekeepers and herdsmen residing in the area. In medieval times, Márcadópuszta existed within the village's territory, preserving the obligation to pay the March tithe in its name.
The Rákóczi War of Independence began in 1703, leading to the presence of Kuruc hussars on the southern shore of Lake Balaton in the fall, marking the onset of military activities in Somogy County. In 1704, Austrians released Serbs onto the county to counter the Kurucs, resulting in severe devastation in the Zselic region.
During the 1715 national census, the village had 10 households, and in 1720, it had 14 households under the ownership of Count Esterházy József. Emperor Joseph II's decree in 1784-1787 mandated a census, which recorded 476 inhabitants in Zselickisfalud. The 1848 revolution led to the liberation of 52 serf households, 1 tenant household, and 2 landless serf households in the village.
The first World War took a toll on peasant farms, producing numerous casualties and prisoners of war. Zselickisfalud sent 280 soldiers to the war, with 16 war widows and 3 war orphans recorded. Economic organizations formed before the turn of the century, such as the Zselickisfalud–Szilvásszentmárton–Patca Cooperative Credit Union, joined by the Hangya Consumer and Sales Cooperative in 1920. Common associations included the Farmers' Circle, Civil Marksman Association, and Levente Association.
Soviet forces occupied the village on December 2, 1944. Agricultural cooperatives emerged in the early 1950s, and the New Life Agricultural Cooperative operated from 1952 to 1956. After the 1956 revolution, the cooperative was reorganized, eventually merging with neighboring agricultural enterprises in the early 1970s to form the Zselic Landscape Agricultural Cooperative.
The village had separate Roman Catholic and Protestant elementary schools, each with one teacher and one classroom. Records on the history of the Zselickisfalud Reformed Church date back to the early 18th century when it had a designated preacher. By the 18th century, it likely became a mother church, with Patca and Szilvásszentmárton as its subsidiary churches. The Catholic population began to grow only in the 19th century, and their church was built in 1953.
In 1900, the population was 844, decreasing to 773 by 1910. Population decline accelerated from the 1960s, exacerbated by the centralization of education to Kaposvár. The current population, under 300, has been consistently decreasing since the turn of the century due to migration and the impact of centralization.
Approximately 95% of the village's houses have access to piped drinking water, and over half have telephone connections. One of the community's primary goals is the development of gas and sewage networks. Traditionally, agriculture, forestry, and local industrial enterprises have been the main sources of employment, with many residents commuting to Kaposvár for work. The elementary school students attend school in the neighboring village of Szenna.
The village square (known as Heroes' Square since 2000) houses the village hall, the small office of the Mayor, and the medical room in the old building.
Hungary 
