There were a great many Cossacks. Don, Kuban, Terek, Transbaikal, Zaporizhzhya ... All have their own traditions, history, etc. However main feature of the entire Cossacks - this is militancy. All Cossacks are first and foremost warriors. Therefore, the dance movements are based on martial arts, they are energetic, with quick steps, sharp swings of the arms, legs, as well as exercises with weapons. Quite often, men during the dance exercise with a saber or sword, which requires the highest skill and skill.
The Cossacks went into battle with song and dance. That is why the fighting movements and attacks were reflected in the dance movements. For example, squatting and hopak dances are based on the same principles as the fighting movements of saber fighting with rolls and jumps. This technique was used by the Cossacks to disorient enemy shooters.
Cossack dances can be divided into two large groups:
Slavic (Russian)- formed under the influence Slavic culture. Such dances are typical for the Zaporozhian and Don Cossacks.
Caucasian (mountain)- appeared under the influence southern culture highlanders. That is why, the further south the Cossacks lived, the brighter the elements of southern dances manifest themselves - possession of weapons, clothing, music.
Used as dance costumes National clothes Cossacks. Mandatory element serve as lamps. By their color and difference, one can accurately determine the belonging of a Cossack to one or another Cossack clan. Only the Kuban and Terek Cossacks lack stripes. At Caucasian peoples Cossacks borrowed cloaks, hats, Circassians, which shows the influence of lifestyle and territorial proximity.
Don and Kuban Cossacks a small round hat is used as a headdress. Majority dance ensembles use this particular image of the Cossacks.
The Cossacks are a very freedom-loving people, preferring independence to all other benefits of civilization. All this is also reflected in their dances. Straightened back, rotation around the axis, as well as moving around the dance floor in a large space. The work of the feet is very clearly manifested in Cossack dances. Dance moves squats, high jumps up, steps, stomp, heel strikes on the floor, etc.
Unlike the Russian female dance, which is distinguished by great modesty, Cossack dances are more energetic and free. Girls literally "fly" around the stage. Their movements are distinguished by courage and even audacity. Distinctive feature- the position of the hands. As a rule, the hands rest with fists on the belt, giving out the playful and free mood of the dancers.
Hopak
This dance is calling card not only the Zaporizhian Cossacks, but the whole of Ukraine. Many modern Ukrainian dance groups Hopak is performed in different interpretations.
At the very beginning of its inception, gopak was performed exclusively by men and was in its nature a martial dance. All the movements used in this dance were actually combat lunges, sweeps and saber strikes. Endless rotational turns and rolls were also used in saber combat as evasions from an enemy attack. This dance was a kind of indicator of dexterity, strength, courage and fitness of a warrior. It very often depicted the most real battle scenes.
Much later, hopak began to dance in the cities adjacent to the Sich, after which it spread to the entire left-bank part of Ukraine. Here it was already allowed to participate in the dance and women, but the leading role still belonged to men. Women's movements are smoother and lighter.
Traditionally, hopak is danced by five men and two women. However, at present, choreographers do not often adhere to this rule and introduce into the dance the number of participants that is necessary.
Glorious Cossacks
Cossack girls enjoyed complete freedom and grew up with their future husbands. The purity of morals, followed by the entire Cossack community, was worthy of the best times of Rome, where special censors were elected from the most trustworthy citizens for this. Until the first half of the 16th century, the trend of the East still remained - the husband's power over his wife was unlimited. At the end of the 17th century, housewives, especially the elderly, began to gain great influence in domestic life and often animated the conversations of old knights with their presence, and when they got carried away in a conversation, with their influence.
For the most part, Cossack women are a type of beauties that have developed over the centuries as natural selection from captive Circassian women, Turkish women and Persian women, struck and amazes with his good looks and attractiveness. In his story "Cossacks" already in the first half of the 19th century L.N. Tolstoy wrote:
The beauty of the Grebenskaya Cossack woman is especially striking by the combination of the purest type of the Circassian face with the mighty build of a northern woman. Cossack women wear Circassian clothes - a Tatar shirt, beshmet, dudes, but they tie scarves in Russian. Panache, cleanliness and elegance in clothes and decoration of huts are a habit and a necessity of life.
IN extreme conditions not only the character of the Cossack warrior was forged, but also a completely special type of Cossack woman.
When we say that the Cossacks mastered and cultivated the vast expanses of the Don, Kuban, Terek, Urals, we must remember that this was largely done by women. Men were constantly on campaigns, on cordons. And the old people, children and Cossacks remained at home. They cultivated fields, gardens, melons, vineyards, went for cattle, they grew lush gardens in which the villages were buried. They harvested crops, baked bread, made preparations for the winter, cooked, sheathed the whole family, raised children, weaved, knitted, they could treat twigs and fix the hut. The Cossack was not only a tireless worker, but also an organizer. Nominally, the old man-grandfather led a large family team, but not all Cossacks lived to be gray. Grandfather could already be incompetent, disabled. And the housework was organized by grandmothers, mothers, wives of the Cossacks. They distributed households, who should do what, if necessary, hired workers and supervised them. The Cossacks also knew how to trade in order to turn part of the products into money and purchase the necessary things.
But the Cossack could not only do this. When enemies attacked, she removed her husband's saber and gun from the wall and fought to the death, protecting the children or giving them the opportunity to escape. 800 Cossacks participated in the defense of Azov in 1641. And how many in the XVI-XVIII centuries. there are references to the attacks of the steppes on the Don, Terek, Kuban, Volga, Ural, Siberian towns? If the men were at home, the Cossacks sheltered children and livestock, acted as an "auxiliary force", loading guns, helping to repair fortifications, put out fires, bandaging the wounded. And if the main protector of the family is absent or has already fallen, the Cossack woman herself became a protector. The Cossacks did not give up, they fought to the end.
And they knew how to wait for husbands like no one else. The Cossacks went on campaigns for years, often from one war to another, it is not known whether they will return. And the Cossacks were waiting. In Siberia, it was even worse. Semyon Dezhnev was absent from home for 19 years! While wandering, the son grew up. Who raised him to his feet? Wife. She herself did not wait for her husband, she died, and raised the child, raised him, and he became a Cossack, like a father.
There was also a case, however, the only one, when a woman became a military chieftain. In the XVIII century. Pyotr Taishin, a native of the Kalmyk Khan family, was baptized with his ulus. And then the Kalmyk horde broke up, quarrels began. The prince died, but his widow, Princess Taishina, with 2,400 subjects in 1739, asked to be given land for a settled settlement and taken to the service. A suitable place was found on the Volga, where the fortress of Stavropol (now Togliatti) was built. These Kalmyks made up the Stavropol Cossack Army. And the princess was given the powers of a military chieftain, a salary of 500 rubles was laid. The rest of the foremen were also assigned a salary - according to the level of officers of the Don Army. And ordinary Cossacks served from land plots. A thousand retired soldiers and 2.5 thousand peasants were assigned to the Army. The soldiers were to train the Kalmyks in garrison and guard service, the peasants in agriculture. Gradually they blended main responsibility Stavropol was the guard of the Samara-Ufa line - a branch of the Samara-Orenburg line. At the call of the king, the Army put up 1 regiment for war. And Princess Taishina led the Stavropol people until the end of her life.
Anna Taishina
There are also cases when Cossack women became famous as warriors. By order of Catherine after a big raid of the highlanders, in 1770-1771. 517 families from the Volga Army were transferred to the Caucasus, founding 5 villages, 100 families each. , blocking the streets in case of danger, stocks of gunpowder, guns, checkers.
On June 10, 1774, in the village of Naurskaya, an event took place, known as the defense of Naur. The first Turkish war was going on, Spirits Day was being celebrated in the village of Naurskaya, old men, Cossack women with children dressed up for the holiday were in the church (almost all combatant Cossacks were on the march), when shots suddenly rang out at the pickets and a Cossack galloped up, shouting “Go!” The capital of Naur was surrounded by an eight-thousandth gathering of Tatars, Kabardians and Turks, led by kalga from the family of the Crimean sultans. The enemy had an obvious calculation to take by surprise the defenseless inhabitants of the village, which was just getting settled. The enemy did not know, however, with whom he would deal - the Naur Cossacks in red sundresses came to the defense hometown and repelled enemy attacks along with husbands and brothers, armed with sickles, pitchforks and scythes. They heated the resin and poured boiling water on the heads of the enemy, even the festive cabbage soup, preparing for dinner, went to the “treat” for the busurmans, the Cossacks dragged cannons from place to place and fired guns. The battle went on for 12 hours, many hours of assault cost the enemy dearly, up to 800 people were killed, several thousand were wounded. The siege lasted 2 days, on June 12 at dawn the Cossack cannons thundered again, but to the general surprise the enemy quickly began to move away from the stanitsa ramparts, and soon his disorderly crowds disappeared from the eyes of the astonished Naurians. No one knew or suspected real reason such a hasty retreat of the enemy camp, and only later they began to say that Naur was obliged to lift the siege to the Cossack Pereporkh, who aimed the gun directly at the high mound where the kalga headquarters stood, and killed the leader’s beloved nephew with a happy shot.
Although the story of the Cossack Pereporhe and his successful shot is quite popular among the inhabitants of the Naurskaya village, most Cossacks still attribute the lifting of the siege and the flight of the enemy only to God's special protection. Tradition says that at dawn on June 11, on the day of the memory of the holy apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, two riders on white horses and in white clothes rode along the enemy camp and pointed at the Tatars panic horror. To commemorate this event, even a chapel in the name of the apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas was arranged in the Naur church, and the day of the eleventh of June has been celebrated in the Mozdok regiment by Terek Cossacks for more than 230 years.
“This is a woman's holiday,” the Cossacks say about it, recalling the glorious participation that the female population of the village took in the battle. Almost all of the heroic Cossack women deservedly received a medal from Empress Catherine II "For Turkish war 1769-1774".
The Kabardians could not forget the shame of their defeat for a long time. Even peaceful ones tried not to meet the Mozdok Cossack, fearing ridicule about “how Kabarda went to fight, but failed to cope with the Cossack women.” When it was necessary to meet one of them with a burned face, the Cossack and the Cossack did not miss the opportunity to scoff at the ill-fated horseman.
And what, dos (friend), didn’t you slurp cabbage soup in Naurs? - asks, it happened, Lineets and accompanies the sullenly silent Kabardian with a good-natured laugh. ( Source - Library "Vѣhi", V.A. Potto, Caucasian war»)
By the way, the life of the Cossacks in the XVII-XVIII centuries. (and partly in the 19th century) has generally been studied very poorly. Of course, their life was in many ways different from the paintings " Quiet Don”, from what we know from pre-revolutionary memoirs. Just like the Cossacks of the First World War, they differed in many ways from their ancestors from the time of Suvorov. Yes, the Cossacks knew how to shoot well, including from cannons, they owned edged weapons. When did they learn it? Where? Were they allowed to train in their youth along with the Cossacks? Or taught by mothers, fathers, husbands - just in case? It is known that on the Terek Cossacks even in the twentieth century. were excellent horsewomen, knew how to shoot.
Outwardly, the attitude of a Cossack to a woman might seem rude, with a demonstration of his own superiority, but in fact it was chivalrous. Ataman Platov in 1816, in an order for the Don Cossacks, wrote about the Cossacks: “Let their loyalty and zeal, and our gratitude to them for this, mutual respect and love, serve as a rule for the behavior of Don wives in later posterity.” According to customs, the Cossack woman enjoyed such respect and reverence that she did not need to give her additional male rights. And vice versa, the Cossack and even the stanitsa ataman had no right to interfere in women's affairs. The Cossack woman did not participate in circles, did not have a voice at gatherings, her interests were represented by her father, husband, brother. But a single woman could choose for herself any intercessor from among the villagers. And the widow or orphan was under the personal protection of the ataman and the council of the elderly, and if this was not enough, she could turn to the gathering herself. When talking with a woman in a circle or gathering, the Cossack was obliged to stand up, and if she was older, take off her hat.
The life and work of the Cossack woman was determined by her own awareness of her special duty. Just as the Cossack considered service to be his duty, so the Cossack woman saw the highest duty in ensuring the service of her husband, brothers, and sons.
During civil war Cossack women also took up arms and fought to protect their families.
And finally, an example not so distant. In 1942, the Volunteer Cossack Cavalry Corps was formed, which became known, then as 4 KKKK, they were commanded first by Kirichenko, and then by Pliev. In the battle near the village of Kushchevskaya, this corps completely defeated two Wehrmacht mountain rifle regiments, and one, the Green Rose, was completely cut out. The corps was formed from volunteer Cossacks, but for the most part they were Cossacks of non-combatant ages (by that time, almost all Cossacks of combat ages had already been drafted into the Red Army), namely boys from 13 to 17 years old, old men from 60 to 80 years old and Cossack women in aged 14 to 50 years. And believe that the women there were not only medical instructors and signalmen, but fought on equal terms with men as saber squadrons, artillerymen, scouts, machine gunners, snipers, sappers, even tankmen. And 4 Kuban Cossack kav. the body was not the only one.
Here it turns out like this women's issue in a Cossack way. And for a Cossack woman, excuse me, a woman, it turns out far from the last thing. It’s just that everyone, both a Cossack man and a Cossack woman, has his own purpose and his own ministry.
There were a great many Cossacks. Don, Kuban, Terek, Transbaikal, Zaporizhzhya ... All have their own traditions, history, etc. However, the main feature of the entire Cossacks is militancy. All Cossacks are first and foremost warriors. Therefore, the dance movements are based on martial arts, they are energetic, with quick steps, sharp swings of the arms, legs, as well as exercises with weapons. Quite often, men during the dance exercise with a saber or sword, which requires the highest skill and skill.
The Cossacks went into battle with song and dance. That is why the fighting movements and attacks were reflected in the dance movements. For example, squatting and hopak dances are based on the same principles as the fighting movements of saber fighting with rolls and jumps. This technique was used by the Cossacks to disorient enemy shooters.
Cossack dances can be divided into two large groups:
- Slavic (Russian) - formed under the influence of Slavic culture. Such dances are typical for the Zaporozhian and Don Cossacks.
- Caucasian (mountain) - appeared under the influence of the southern culture of the highlanders. That is why, the further south the Cossacks lived, the brighter the elements of southern dances manifest themselves - possession of weapons, clothing, music.
Cloth
The costumes for dancing are the national clothes of the Cossacks. Lanterns are an obligatory element. By their color and difference, one can accurately determine the belonging of a Cossack to one or another Cossack clan. Only the Kuban and Terek Cossacks lack stripes. The Cossacks borrowed cloaks, hats, Circassians from the Caucasian peoples, which shows the influence of lifestyle and territorial proximity.
Don and Kuban Cossacks use a small round hat as a headdress. Most dance ensembles use this particular image of the Cossacks.
Liberty
The Cossacks are a very freedom-loving people, preferring independence to all other benefits of civilization. All this is also reflected in their dances. Straightened back, rotation around the axis, as well as moving around the dance floor in a large space. The work of the feet is very clearly manifested in Cossack dances. Squat dance moves, high jumps, steps, footsteps, heel strikes on the floor, etc.
Female Cossack dance
Unlike Russian female dance, which is characterized by great modesty, Cossack dances are more energetic and free. Girls literally "fly" around the stage. Their movements are distinguished by courage and even audacity. A distinctive feature is the position of the hands. As a rule, the hands rest with fists on the belt, giving out the playful and free mood of the dancers.
Hopak
This dance is a visiting card not only of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks, but of the whole of Ukraine. Many modern Ukrainian dance groups perform hopak in different interpretations.
At the very beginning of its inception, gopak was performed exclusively by men and was in its nature a martial dance. All the movements used in this dance were actually combat lunges, sweeps and saber strikes. Endless rotational turns and rolls were also used in saber combat as evasions from an enemy attack. This dance was a kind of indicator of dexterity, strength, courage and fitness of a warrior. It very often depicted the most real battle scenes.
Much later, hopak began to dance in the cities adjacent to the Sich, after which it spread to the entire left-bank part of Ukraine. Here it was already allowed to participate in the dance and women, but the leading role still belonged to men. Women's movements are smoother and lighter.
Traditionally, hopak is danced by five men and two women. However, at present, choreographers do not often adhere to this rule and introduce into the dance the number of participants that is necessary.
Irina Turova
Cossack dance girls videos
How said. V. Gogol "Dance is the soul of the people" and it's not hard to follow. Although the basis dance culture Cossacks is Russian folk dance, but with its own characteristics, inherent in the spirit Cossacks. WITH Cossacks the theme of struggle and the warrior, intransigence towards enemies, love of freedom, cheerfulness, which were generated by the very struggle for their independence, are connected. This left an imprint on all folk art.
Thus, Cossack dances can be divided into two groups:
One consists of all-Russian dances, the other - original military dances.
The first group - presented different genres, their specificity and manner performance determined by the regional characteristics of the Russian folk dance.
The second - is represented mainly by military dance, or the so-called "Shermitia". In spiritual culture Cossacks shermicia occupy a special place: they act as a mechanism for the translation of cultural experience. In these peculiarly and colorfully arranged ceremonies and ritual games, many elements of the technique and tactics of warfare were practiced, in which Cossacks demonstrated resilience and a life-affirming beginning. Currently, shermicia are the standard of traditional military culture. Cossacks, including ancient military rites. Shermicia help to keep historical roots, values and traditions Cossacks,
To put Cossack dance the guys and I watched a lot dance compositions, in which elements of Russian folk dance characteristic of Cossack dances:
1. Dance run
a) running with bent legs thrown back.
b) running with raising bent legs forward.
2. Side jumps
a) with half-finger strikes on the floor.
b) with heel strikes in front of the standing leg.
3. Lateral squat with a double blow with half-toes behind the supporting leg.
4. Jumping from foot to foot in the 3rd free position and moving to the side.
5. "winder":
a) on half-toes (for girls,
b) on the whole foot (for boys).
6. "Kovyryalochka" with a jump.
7. "Hammers"
8. "Key" with a double fraction.
9. Fractional "track.
10. Shot with a jump.
11. Triple alternating percussion.
12. Flappers:
a) on jumps with a blow to the top of the boot in front of you,
b) on jumps with a blow to the top of the boot from behind,
c) alternate blows to the top of the boot in front and behind on jumps,
d) blows with both hands on the top of one leg,
13. Squats:
a) squatting with a pick,
b) squat with a kick to the bootleg,
c) squat "ball",
d) "slider" forward.
14. Spins:
a) in heels
b) with the movement of the winder,
c) with legs thrown back.
After reviewing dance video, Guys said that they would not succeed, and the girls began to repeat and invent their own movements. And so it turned out for us Cossack dance performed by fighting girls.
Related publications:
"Today is a holiday for the girls." Dance of the girls of the senior group, dedicated to the Year of Russian cinema Video In the month of April, every year in our city there is an Open Zonal Competition - Festival children's and youth creativity"Spring Fantasy"
Synopsis of entertainment "Cossack land" Ermak Larisa, musical director of MBDOU, kindergarten Synopsis - entertainment"Cossack land" Purpose: education of moral and patriotic.
June 12 - Russia Day is a symbol of national unity and common responsibility for the present and future of our homeland Russia. Day of Russia is.
Cossack holiday "Cossack autumn". November 1, 2016 preparatory group No. 9 "Fairy Tale" passed interesting holiday"Cossack autumn". Preschoolers.
Purpose: to form children's ideas about the history and life of the Cossacks Tasks: to continue to consolidate children's knowledge about the Cossacks' dwelling, objects.
Abstract of a design lesson in the senior group "Cossack hut" Abstract of the lesson on designing from natural material V senior group on the topic of: " Cossack kuren» ( teamwork) Developed.
Now it is difficult for us to discern and realize the roots of modern Slavic dance, watching it on TV or at festivities and holidays performed by folk groups. And it was created not at all as entertainment, but as a specific game training system for Slavic warriors, helping to develop combat motor skills, endurance, develop dexterity and strength.
Gopak, trepak, "cossack", "lady", sailor's "apple" and other dances carry the residual elements of foot combat and martial arts.
Cossacks are great fans of dancing hopak. And how they fought in other countries is still legendary. For example, the essence of the famous Russian dance "Lady" was not just to dance with a woman. And in fighting for a partner with other dancers, moreover, fighting not with force, not with rudeness, but with dancing skill!
They danced with a woman, trying not to let an opponent near her. He, in turn, sought to beat off the dancer, wiping the opponent with a skillful movement and continuing the dance himself. Therefore, the real “Lady” is very difficult - careful control over complex combat transitions is required.
It was considered unacceptable not only to touch the partner with a blow, but even to frighten her with a dangerous movement.
It turns out, not a dance, but a duel - but not a fight, but art!
Since ancient times, competitions of dancers have been held in Rus'. They danced both alone and in a pair with an opponent.
The competition most often took place at fairs. The dancers were “argued” and made bets, and the winners received prizes: gifts, money or wine.
The dancers were constantly training, inventing new combinations of “knees” unknown to rivals and spectators.
Before the competition, the developments were kept a big secret. This constantly replenished and enriched the technique of Russian dance.
“Lady” is only at first glance a peaceful dance. The struggle for a girl is relevant between young people at all times. It was this opposition that formed the basis of the dance.
Distinguished double and single dance. In the first case, one of the dancers showed some kind of movement or combination,
the opponent had to repeat them exactly, then showed his own. In the second - the competitors alternately showed their movements,
while it was impossible to repeat the previous ones. The one who first ran out of a set of "frills" lost.
Historical reference:
One of the variants of the combat dance “skobar” (or, as it was also called, “breaking the merry”)
provided for direct contact with the enemy during execution.
“Performed” it to the rhythmic and simple tune of the harmonica.
The fight-dance took place according to various persuasions, for example, before the first blood or before the first fall.
The fight could be stopped by the harmonist (in more ancient times - the harp player), stopping the tune.
Before the start of the “breaking”, the dancer shook his head, tousling his hair.
These actions, coupled with certain exclamations and stomping, belonged to the elements of ancient folk magic.
Making them, a person left the habitual everyday space, moving to a different layer of being,
where time flowed differently, and the senses worked differently.
The relaxed body of the stapler reacted not only to the actions of the opponent, but even to the breath of the breeze.
Such a state is similar to the trance into which the warriors of the East introduced themselves.
In addition to military dances, there were numerous peaceful dances-games,
ceremonial and simply entertaining purpose. The most “Slavic” of which is a round dance (kolo, korogod, tank).
