Young Ukrainians demonstrate the skills of traditional Cossack warriors at the "Virtuous Cossacks in 2009 festival in Pirogovo, Ukraine on Oct. 3. (Vladimir Borodin/The Epoch Times)
Cossacks warriors from the past danced and fought at the Combative Hopak Festival in Pirogovo, Ukraine on Oct. 3.
Cossacks were a formidable military force in the 16th century. They were considered the protectors of the Ukrainian people.
At the "Virtuous Cossacks in 2009" festival, modern-day Ukrainians reproduced scenes from centuries ago when young Cossacks and their mentors once demonstrated their physical strength, agility, and skills at using different weapons through a traditional Ukrainian dance called the "Hopak."
Hundreds of years ago, the Hopak was used by Cossacks as a training exercise as well as a means of showcasing their warrior skills.
A Ukrainian man dons an authentic Cossack hairdo, smokes a time period pipe, and wears traditional pants complete with pistol tucked in his belt. (Vladimir Borodin/The Epoch Times )
To join the Cossack army, one had to be well-disciplined, meeting a high moral and physical standard. The army also accepted into its ranks men from foreign communities such as Greeks, Turks, Germans, and Tatars as long as they met one requirement: They had to believe in Christ.
