Аркан – Arkan – heroic warriors dance of Ukrainian hutsuls (instrumental)

8qa7X-NlNx4 Not a dance video despite the name…there are some interesting images shown under the song. The knife is particularly interesting.

The New and complete American encyclopedia 1808

The inhabitants ire a mixture of the descendants of the ancient Hunns, Sclavonians, Camani, Germans, Walachians, Greeks, Jews, Turks, and a wandering people called Zigduns, said to b: of uncertain origin, but probable the fame as those we call Gypsies. The Hungarians are said to be of a sanguine choleric temper, and somewhat fierce, cruel, [...]

Kita’iescha

From: The Poles in the seventeenth century By Henryk Krasiński 1843 There are on the Carpathians, individuals, who are born, and who die without ever going down to the plains. Some engage in smuggling Hungarian wines, and at times shew themselves in great numbers in the fairs to purchase salt and gunpowder, and to vend [...]

Knives from Zakopane region

“From Peasant Art in Austria and Hungary” 1914 A picture of some knives from the Zakopane region on the Poland, Slovak border.

1844 Description of the “mountaineers” in the Carpathians.

“The mountaineers here are called Huzzulen as in Bukovina. We found two of them sitting by the fire at the inn, leaning upon their hatchets. They told us that they were never without their hatchets, that they travelled with them, danced with them, and wore them as a part of their Sunday finery. They went [...]

Mountain Axe at ISMAC XI 2011

Wow, I have really neglected this site for the last year or so haven’t I? Like anyone is reading:) So here is an update…while I may have let the site slack a bit I have been keeping up with my axe work and was lucky enough to present a class on the subject at the [...]

Four engaging ways to deal with an incoming attack

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 [...]

Zbojnický tanec – Outlaw dance

Jurošík a zbojník Hrajruka

Another axe dance

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!