Ancient Cossack dances and dances. Cossack dance - will in every movement

There were a great many Cossacks. Don, Kuban, Terek, Transbaikal, Zaporozhye... They all have their own traditions, history, etc. However main feature of the entire Cossacks is militancy. All Cossacks are, first and foremost, warriors. Therefore, dance movements are based on martial art; they are energetic, with fast steps, sharp swings of the arms and legs, as well as exercises with weapons. Quite often, men practice with a saber or saber while dancing, which requires the highest skill and skill.

The Cossacks went into battle with song and dance. That is why fighting movements and lunges were reflected in dance movements. For example, squat dancing and hopak are based on the same principles as the combat movements of saber combat with rolls and jumps. This technique was used by the Cossacks to disorient enemy riflemen.

Cossack dances can be divided into two large groups:

Slavic (Russian) - formed under the influence Slavic culture. Such dances are typical for Zaporozhye and Don Cossacks.
Caucasian (mountain) - appeared under the influence southern culture Highlanders That is why, the further south the Cossacks lived, the more clearly the elements of southern dances appeared - possession of weapons, clothing, music.

Cloth

Used as dance costumes National clothes Cossacks Stripes are a mandatory element. By their color and differences, you can accurately determine whether a Cossack belongs to one or another Cossack clan. Only the Kuban and Terek Cossacks lack stripes. U Caucasian peoples Cossacks borrowed burkas, papakhas, and Circassian coats, which shows the influence of lifestyle and territorial proximity.

Don and Kuban Cossacks use a small round cap as a headdress. Most dance ensembles use this particular image of the Cossacks.

Liberty

Cossacks are a very freedom-loving people who prefer independence to all other benefits of civilization. All this is also reflected in their dances. Straightened back, rotation around an axis, as well as moving around the dance floor in a large space. Footwork is very clearly demonstrated in Cossack dances. Dance moves squat, high jumps, steps, stomps, heel strikes to the floor, etc.

Women's Cossack dance

Unlike Russian female dance, which is distinguished by great modesty, Cossack dances are more energetic and free. The girls literally “fly” across the stage. Their movements are distinguished by courage and even audacity. Distinctive feature- hand position. As a rule, the hands rest their fists on the belt, giving away the playful and free mood of the dancers.

Gopak

This dance is business card not only the Zaporozhye Cossacks, but throughout Ukraine. Many modern Ukrainian dance groups perform hopak in different interpretations.

At the very beginning of its inception, hopak was performed exclusively by men and was a martial dance in its nature. All the movements used in this dance were actually fighting lunges, sweeps and saber strikes. Endless rotational turns and rolls were also used in saber combat, as evasions from enemy attacks. This dance was a kind of indicator of the dexterity, strength, courage and training of a warrior. It very often depicted real battle scenes.

Much later, hopak began to be danced in cities adjacent to the Sich, after which it spread to the entire left bank of Ukraine. Here women were already allowed to participate in the dance, but the leading role still belonged to men. Women's movements- smoother and lighter.

Traditionally, hopak is danced by five men and two women. However, nowadays choreographers do not very often adhere to this rule and introduce the number of participants into the dance that is necessary.

Irina Turova
Cossack dance performed by girls Video

How N said. V. Gogol “Dance is the soul of the people” and it's not hard to follow. Despite the fact that the basis dance culture Cossacks constitutes Russian folk dance, but with its own characteristics, characteristic of the spirit Cossacks. WITH Cossacks The theme of struggle and warrior, irreconcilability towards enemies, love of freedom, cheerfulness, which were generated by the very struggle for one’s independence, is connected. This left its mark 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 is represented by different genres, their specificity and manner execution determined by the regional characteristics of Russian folk dance.

The second is represented mainly by military dance, or the so-called "shermicia". In spiritual culture Cossacks Shermitias have a special place place: they act as a mechanism for transmitting cultural experience. In these uniquely and colorfully arranged rites and ritual games, many elements of combat technology and tactics were practiced, in them Cossacks demonstrated resilience and a life-affirming beginning. Currently, shermitias are the standard of traditional military culture Cossacks, including ancient military rites. Shermitias help preserve historical roots, values and traditions Cossacks,

To put Cossack dance The guys and I watched a lot of dance compositions, which showed elements of Russian folk dance characteristic of Cossack dances:

1. Dance run

a) running with bent legs thrown back.

b) running with bent legs raised forward.

2. Lateral jumps

a) with half-finger strikes to the floor.

b) with strikes with the heel of the foot in front.

3. Side fall with a double strike with the half-toes behind the supporting leg.

4. Jumping from foot to foot in the 3rd free position and moving to the side.

5. "Motalochka":

a) on the half toes (for girls,

b) on the entire foot (for boys).

6. “Picker” with a jump.

7. "Hammers"

8. "Key" with double fraction.

9. Fractional track.

10. Fraction with jump.

11. Triple alternating taps.

12. Firecrackers:

a) jumping with a blow to the top of the boot in front of you,

b) on jumps with a blow to the boot top from behind,

c) alternate blows to the top of the boot from the front and back on jumps,

d) blows with both hands on the top of one leg,

13. Squats:

a) squat with a picker,

b) squat with a blow to the boot,

c) “ball” squat,

d) "slider" forward.

14. Rotations:

a) in heels,

b) with the movement of the winder,

c) with legs tilted back.

Viewing dance video, Guys they said that they wouldn’t succeed, and the girls began to repeat and come up with their own movements. That's how it turned out for us Cossack dance performed by fighting girls.

Publications on the topic:

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Summary of entertainment “Cossack region” Ermak Larisa, music director of MBDOU, kindergarten Abstract - entertainment“Cossack region” Goal: education of moral and patriotic people.

June 12 - Russia Day is a symbol of national unity and shared responsibility for the present and future of our homeland Russia. This is Russia Day.

Cossack holiday "Cossack Autumn". November 1, 2016 at preparatory group No. 9 “Fairy Tale” passed interesting holiday"Cossack Autumn". Preschool children.

Goal: to form children’s understanding of the history and life of the Cossacks. Objectives: to continue to consolidate children’s knowledge about the Cossacks’ home and objects.

Summary of a design lesson in the senior group “Cossack Kuren” Lesson notes on designing from natural material V senior group on the topic: “Cossack kuren” ( teamwork) Developed.

There were a great many Cossacks. Don, Kuban, Terek, Transbaikal, Zaporozhye... They all have their own traditions, history, etc. However, the main feature of the entire Cossacks is belligerence. All Cossacks are, first and foremost, warriors. Therefore, dance movements are based on martial art; they are energetic, with fast steps, sharp swings of the arms and legs, as well as exercises with weapons. Quite often, men practice with a saber or saber while dancing, which requires the highest skill and skill.

Cossack dances can be divided into two large groups:

Slavic (Russian)– formed under the influence of Slavic culture. Such dances are typical for Zaporozhye 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 more clearly the elements of southern dances appeared - possession of weapons, clothing, music.

The costumes for dancing are the national clothes of the Cossacks. Stripes are a mandatory element. By their color and differences, you can accurately determine whether a Cossack belongs to one or another Cossack clan. Only the Kuban and Terek Cossacks lack stripes. The Cossacks borrowed burkas, hats, and Circassian coats from the Caucasian peoples, which shows the influence of lifestyle and territorial proximity.

Don and Kuban Cossacks use a small round cap as a headdress. Most dance ensembles use this particular image of the Cossacks.

Cossacks are a very freedom-loving people who prefer independence to all other benefits of civilization. All this is also reflected in their dances. Straightened back, rotation around an axis, as well as moving around the dance floor in a large space. Footwork is very clearly demonstrated in Cossack dances. Squat dance movements, high jumps, steps, stomps, heel strikes to the floor, etc.

Unlike Russian women's dance, which is characterized by great modesty, Cossack dances are more energetic and free. The girls literally “fly” across 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 their fists on the belt, giving away the playful and free mood of the dancers.

Gopak

This dance is the hallmark of not only the Zaporozhye Cossacks, but also the whole of Ukraine. Many modern Ukrainian dance groups perform hopak in different interpretations.

Glorious Cossacks

Cossack girls enjoyed complete freedom and grew up together with their future husbands. The purity of morals, which was monitored 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 purpose. Until the first half of the 16th century, the spirit of the east still remained - the power of the husband over his wife was unlimited. At the end of the 17th century, housewives, especially older ones, began to acquire big influence in everyday life and often animated the conversations of old knights with their presence, and when they got carried away in the conversation - with their influence.

Cossack women, for the most part, are a type of beauties that have evolved over centuries as a natural selection from captive Circassian, Turkish and Persian women, and have amazed and continue to amaze with their comeliness 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 due to the combination of the purest type of Circassian face with the powerful build of a northern woman. Cossack women wear Circassian clothes - Tatar shirt, beshmet, chuvyaki, but they tie scarves in Russian. Elegance, cleanliness and grace in clothing and house decoration constitute a habit and necessity of life.

In extreme conditions, not only the character of the Cossack warrior was forged, but also completely special type Cossack women.

When we say that the Cossacks mastered and cultivated the vast expanses of the Don, Kuban, Terek, and Urals, we must remember that to a large extent this was done with female hands. Men were constantly on campaigns, at cordons. And the old people, children and Cossack women remained at home. They cultivated fields, vegetable gardens, melon fields, vineyards, looked after livestock, 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 ailments and fix up the hut. The Cossack woman was not only a tireless worker, but also an organizer. Nominally, the large family group was led by an old grandfather, but not all Cossacks lived to see their gray hairs. The grandfather could already be incompetent, disabled. And the housework was organized by grandmothers, mothers, and wives of the Cossacks. They distributed households, who should do what, if necessary, hired workers and supervised them. Cossack women also knew how to trade in order to convert part of the products into money and purchase what they needed.

But the Cossack woman could do more than just that. When enemies attacked, she took 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 Cossack women took part in the defense of Azov in 1641. And how many in the 16th-18th centuries? Are there any references to attacks by steppe inhabitants on Don, Terek, Kuban, Volga, Ural, and Siberian towns? If the men were at home, the Cossack women sheltered children and livestock and acted as an “auxiliary force,” loading guns, helping to repair fortifications, extinguishing fires, and bandaging the wounded. And if the main protector of the family is absent or has already fallen, the Cossack woman herself became the protector. The Cossacks did not surrender and fought to the end.

And they knew how to wait for their husbands like no one else. The Cossacks went on campaigns for years, often from one war to another; it is unknown whether they will return. And the Cossacks were waiting. Things were even worse in Siberia. Semyon Dezhnev was absent from home for 19 years! While he was traveling, his son grew up. Who raised him to his feet? Wife. She herself did not wait for her husband, she died, but she raised and educated the child, and he became a Cossack, like his father.

There was also a case, however, the only one, when a woman became a military chieftain. In the 18th century Peter Taishin, a native of the Khan's Kalmyk family, was baptized with his ulus. And then the Kalmyk horde fell apart, and quarrels began. The prince died, but his widow Princess Taishina with 2,400 subjects in 1739 asked to be allocated land for a settled settlement and to be accepted into service. Appropriate place 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, and was given a salary of 500 rubles. The rest of the foremen were also given a salary - at 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 supposed to train the Kalmyks in garrison and guard service, and the peasants - in agriculture. Gradually they mixed, the main duty of the Stavropol residents was to protect the Samara-Ufa line - a branch of the Samara-Orenburg line. At the call of the Tsar, the Army sent 1 regiment to the war. And Princess Taishina led the people of Stavropol until the end of her life.

Anna Taishina

There are also cases where Cossack women became famous as warriors. By order of Catherine, after a large raid by the highlanders, in 1770-1771. 517 families from the Volga Army were transferred to the Caucasus, founding 5 villages, 100 families each. The Cossack village, especially in the Caucasus, is a small fortress: a rampart, along the outskirts there are blank walls of houses with rare loopholes, several old captured cannons with cannonballs, dams , blocking streets in case of danger, supplies of gunpowder, guns, sabers.

On the tenth of June 1774, in the village of Naurskaya, an event occurred known as the defense of Naur. The first Turkish war was going on, in the village of Naurskaya they celebrated Spiritual Day, old men, Cossack women with children, dressed for the holiday, were in the church (almost all the combat Cossacks were on the march), when suddenly shots were heard at the pickets and a Cossack galloped up, shouting “Go!” The Naur capital was surrounded by an eight-thousand-strong crowd of Tatars, Kabardians and Turks, led by a Kalga from the family of Crimean sultans. The enemy had a clear intention of taking by surprise the defenseless inhabitants of the village, which was just getting settled. The enemy did not know, however, who he would deal with - Naur Cossack women in red sundresses came to the defense hometown and repelled enemy attacks along with their 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 as a “treat” to the Busurmans, the Cossack women dragged cannons from place to place and fired from rifles. The battle lasted for 12 hours, the many-hour assaults cost the enemies dearly, up to 800 people were killed and several thousand were wounded. The siege lasted 2 days, on June 12, at dawn, the Cossack guns thundered again, but to everyone’s surprise, the enemy quickly began to retreat from the village ramparts, and soon the disorderly crowds disappeared from the eyes of the amazed Naurians. No one knew or guessed about the real reason such a hasty retreat of the enemy camp, and only later they began to say that Naur owed the lifting of the siege to the Cossack Pereporkh, who aimed a gun directly at the high mound where the Kalga’s headquarters stood, and with a lucky shot killed the leader’s beloved nephew.

Although the story of the Cossack Pereporkh and his successful shot is quite popular among the residents of the Naur village, most Cossacks to this day attribute the lifting of the siege and the flight of the enemy only to God’s special protection. Tradition says that at the dawn of June eleventh, on the day of remembrance of the holy apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, two horsemen on white horses and in white clothes rode along the enemy camp and pointed at the Tatars panic horror. To commemorate this event, there was even a chapel built in the Naur church in the name of the apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, and the day of the eleventh of June has been celebrated in the Mozdok regiment by the Terek Cossacks to this day for more than 230 years.

“This is a woman’s holiday,” the Cossacks say about it, remembering the glorious participation that the female population of the village took in the battle. Almost all heroic Cossack women deservedly received a medal from Empress Catherine II “For Turkish war 1769-1774."

For a long time the Kabardians could not forget the shame of their defeat. Even the peaceful ones tried not to meet the Mozdok Cossack, fearing ridicule about “how Kabarda went to war but failed to deal with the Cossack women.” When it was necessary to meet one of them with a burned face, the Cossack and the Cossack woman did not miss the opportunity to mock the ill-fated horseman.

And what, dos (buddy), didn’t you slurp cabbage soup in Naurs? - a Lineman would sometimes ask and see off the sullenly silent Kabardian with a good-natured laugh. ( Source - Library "Vehi", V.A. Potto, " Caucasian War»)

By the way, the life of Cossack women in the 17th-18th centuries. (and partly in the 19th century) has generally been studied very poorly. Of course, their life was in many ways different from the pictures." Quiet Don", from what we know from pre-revolutionary memories. Just like the Cossacks of the First World War differed in many ways from their ancestors during the time of Suvorov. Yes, the Cossack women knew how to shoot well, including from cannons, and were proficient with edged weapons. When did they learn this? Where? In their youth, were they allowed to train along with the Cossacks? Or did mothers, fathers, husbands teach - just in case? It is known that there were Cossack women on the Terek even in the 20th century. They were excellent horsewomen and knew how to shoot.

Outwardly, the Cossack’s attitude towards 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 Army, wrote about the Cossack women: “Let their loyalty and diligence, and our gratitude for them, mutual respect and love, serve in later posterity as a rule for the behavior of Don women.” According to customs, the Cossack woman enjoyed such respect and respect that in giving her an additional men's rights didn't need it. And vice versa, the Cossack and even the village 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, and brother. But a single woman could choose any intercessor from among the village residents. And the widow or orphan was under the personal protection of the ataman and the council of elders, and if this was not enough, she could turn to the gathering herself. When talking to a woman in a circle or gathering, the Cossack was obliged to stand up, and if she was elderly, to take off his hat.

The life and work of a Cossack woman was determined by her awareness of her special duty. Just as the Cossack considered it his duty to serve, so the Cossack woman saw her 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 the 4th KKKK it was 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, “Green Rose,” was completely cut out. The corps was formed from volunteer Cossacks, but most of them were Cossacks of non-combatant age (by that time almost all Cossacks of combatant age 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 from 14 to 50 years. And believe me, the women there were not only medical instructors and signalmen, but fought on equal terms with men as fighters in saber squadrons, artillerymen, reconnaissance officers, machine gunners, snipers, sappers, even tank crews. And 4 Kuban Cossack Cavalry. the body was not the only one.

This is what it looks like women's question in Cossack style. And for a Cossack woman, excuse me, a woman, this is far from the last thing. It’s just that everyone, both the Cossack man and the Cossack woman, has his own purpose and his own service.

It is now difficult for us to discern and understand the roots of modern Slavic dance, watching it on TV or at festivities and holidays performed by folklore groups. And it was created not at all as entertainment, but as a specific system of game training for Slavic warriors, helping to develop combat motor skills, endurance, dexterity and strength.

Gopak, trepak, “Cossack”, “lady”, sailor’s “apple” and other dances contain residual elements of foot combat and martial arts.

Cossacks are big fans of dancing the hopak. And there are still legends about how they fought in other countries. For example, the essence of the most famous Russian dance “Barynya” was not just to dance with a woman. It’s about fighting for a partner with other dancers, and fighting not with force, not with rudeness, but with dancing skill!
They danced with the woman, trying not to let their rival get close to her. He, in turn, tried to fight off the dancer, brushing off his 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 a partner with a blow, but even to frighten her with a dangerous movement.
It turns out that it’s not a dance, but a duel – but not a fight, but an art!
Since ancient times, dancing competitions have been held in Rus'. They danced both alone and in pairs with an opponent.
The competition most often took place at fairs. They “bet” on the dancers and placed bets, and the winners received prizes: gifts, money or wine.
The dancers constantly trained, inventing new combinations of “knocks” unknown to their opponents and spectators.
Before the competition, the developments were kept in big secret. This constantly replenished and enriched the technique of Russian dance.

“Lady” is only a peaceful dance at first glance. The struggle for a girl is relevant between young people at all times. It was this confrontation that formed the basis of the dance
There were pair and single dances. In the first case, one of the dancers showed some kind of movement or connection,
the opponent had to repeat them exactly, then show his own. In the second, the competitors alternately showed their movements,
however, the previous ones could not be repeated. The loser was the one who ran out of tricks first.

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.
They “performed” it to the rhythmic and simple playing of an accordion.
The fight-dance took place according to various agreements, for example, until the first blood or until the first fall.
The fight could be stopped by an accordion player (in older times - a guslar) by stopping playing.
Before the “breaking” began, the dancer shook his head, ruffling his hair.
These actions, coupled with certain exclamations and stamping, belonged to the elements of ancient folk magic.
By performing them, a person left the usual everyday space, moving into a different layer of existence,
where time flowed differently and the senses worked differently.
The relaxed body of the squire reacted not only to the actions of his opponent, but even to the breath of the breeze.
This state is similar to the trance into which the warriors of the East put themselves.
In addition to military dances, there were also numerous peaceful dances and games,
ritual and simply entertainment purposes. The most “Slavic” of which is the round dance (kolo, korogod, tank).