The Oprishki » Carpathian Culture

Russian peasant in 1812 British Caricature

oprishki — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:07:50 +0000

A redrawn version of a Russian caricature (on Napoleon’s 1812 campaign in Russia) by British artist George Cruikshank. A Russian peasant holds a bloody axe above Frenchman’s head, ready to strike. On the ground are the bodies of two French officers, whose skulls have been split by the Russian soldier’s axe. British caricature. Dorothy George translates the caption as: “There were hordes of you, weren’t there? Well, that’s the lot! That’s what you were up to, trying to hack your way through; in future you won’t give any trouble!”

Not really on topic but a very cool period illustration as long as your idea of cool is split open craniums:)

Four engaging ways to deal with an incoming attack

oprishki — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:22:59 +0000

Just a short video clip as promised a few posts back.

1. Parry with the poll side of the axe.

2. Parry with the cheek or side of the axe or shaft.

3. Direct block with lead edge then turning to attack.

4. Direct stop with the head of the axe, best done on their hand or forearm.

Zbojnický tanec – Outlaw dance

oprishki — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:20:15 +0000

Jurošík a zbojník Hrajruka

oprishki — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:05:33 +0000

Another axe dance

oprishki — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:13:05 +0000

Another great axe dance fromt he troope in Arizona with Harnas Dragoslav at the head! These guys have been getting better with every clip I see from them..an inspiration to all us axe swingers out there!

A long and dramatic axe dance!

oprishki — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:10:29 +0000

Stara Basn

oprishki — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:55:28 +0000

Stara Basn…When the Sun was God. Pretty nifty film. Definitely did not win any major awards nor should it have but still fun to watch for self styled warrior types who swing axes around:)

Set in pre-christian times in the land that would become Poland…Stara Basn tells a familiar tale of greed and betrayal in an interesting setting. Long handed mountain axes make several appearances in the film. Not saying that we should look to this film for anything more than entertainment…just nice to see a ciupaga or three in a film.

Zbojnicki Dance

oprishki — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:53:04 +0000

The Dances of Podhale (Poland)
Joseph Needham
Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Dec., 1937), pp. 117-119

The Cornhill Magazine 1879

oprishki — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:20:53 +0000

The Cornhill Magazine

By George Smith, William Makepeace Thackeray

Published by Smith, Elder and company., 1879

At one place we had to cross the river, and found the wooden bridge gone. The guides seized their axes—in this country every one carries an axe—and hewed down two trees long enough to span the stream, which they made firm by felling a third and laying it across the end, and so we safely crossed.

Universal Geography 1828

oprishki — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:40:19 +0000

“Universal Geography: Or a Description of All Parts of the World, on a New Plan, According to the Great Natural Divisions of the Globe; Accompanied with Analytical, Synoptical, and Elementary Tables” By Conrad Malte-Brun

Published by Wells and Lilly, 1828

The peasantry form the great mass of the people, their costume is well fitted for a cold climate and a pastoral life. The guba, a large woollen cloak, defends them against the inclemencies of the season; and the kalpak or felt cap, which is now worn by horsemen and even by kings, still .retains among the peasants its ancient Tartar or Finnic shape. A wallet hangs from the shoulder, and every man carries the valaska, a small hatchet with a long handle, an instrument which they wield dexterously.* No alteration has perhaps taken place in the dress of the Ionium* or peasants since the time they fought in the armies of Attila.