The Skillful Woodsman Manual

The Skillful Woodsman

Written by Harnas Dragoslav

With excerpts taken from the postings of Harnas Andrij

The skillfull woodsman is a short paper on the life and gear of the axemen of Eastern Europe. It is hoped that this paper will bring knowledge of the interplay of the Forestwarrior that existed in the ranges of the Carpathian mountains stretching from Southern Poland to Northern Romania. The interelationship of the gear he wore and it’s part in the martial aspect of his life. This is an official manual of the Oprishki guild.

Outline

I. Intro

II. Place in Society

III. The Zbojnici come to town

IV. The war band society

V. The Ancients and the multi-tool

VI. The Hat (Kolpak)

VII. The Cloak

VIII. The Shirt

IX. The Shoes (postoly)

X. The Belt

XI. The Satchel

XII. The Axe (Her Grace Sokyra)

XIII. The Dance (Sokyra Tanec)

XIIII. The Martial Art (Symbols of our Ancestors)

THE SKILLFULL WOODSMAN AND TRECHEROUS BRIGAND

There is quite a bit to know. The axemen go by many names. The term Zbojnici(Woodsman) or Oprishki(Brigand) is some times used. Polish author Stanislaw Vincenze terms the Carpathians as ” …all the shepards and mountain dwellers in the endless chains of the Carpathians, whether they be Rumanians, Ruthenians, Poles, Hungarians, Seklers, Serbs, Germans or Saxons.” in his epic work “On the High Uplands.
”.This is a good general guide for who we may consider to be true Carpathian folk……but honestly we are concerned for what is in your heart and head than what particular strain of blood you might have flowing through your viens.Oprishki is a Rusyn term for brigands in the plural sense…..which in some ways we are, but in a different sense….at least I hope.

The Oprishki place in society

The Robin Hood like quality of the Zbojnici is of a valiant woodsman sworn to allegiance and following certain values and a moral code. The other image is one of cruel brigands with little education and a lust for fighting. The truth is probably somewhere in between and is often a lot more harsh than we’d like to believe.

When the bands of men known as Zbojnici or Oprishki gathered together it could be for a number of reasons. Many of the young men had no family to go to and some simply were ostracized by society. They were often misfits but were sometimes simply survivors on the losing side of a war. Swearing allegiance to a group often required a show of skills to be claimed as a brother. In a very Finnian way the legends of Janosik often have them performing fantastic deeds only capable of demi-gods. The real deeds were less amazing, but only this side of it. Many stories from outsiders spoke of swineherds, only boys, able to fell a full grown hog with one throw of their special axe known as Sokyra. This was a common way of dispatching an animal for butchering requiring only one blow to the head. The war recruiters were quick to snatch up these boys as they were already trained in axe fighting.

The poor villages of the Carpathians often had little to protect them from the selfish and malicious actions of the rich. In these times a merchant may cheat an ignorant peasant or a rich nobleman might violate or kill without repercussions. The warrior bands having no family or lands were free to act upon them without fear of others coming to harm. They could avenge and steal back ill gotten goods with no one to protect but themselves. For this reason the Zbojnici were hailed as heroes when they came to town.

The Zbojnici come to town

Entering the town the Oprishki would run brandishing their axes. This would hail the beginning of the Sokyra Tanec. The dancers would run in a counter clockwise circle and demonstrate their skills. Musicians would play as the Zbojnici jumped axes and performed squat kicks in a kind of cross training. Within the dance is hidden a martial art of Slavic origin, most of the moves can be translated into defensive and offensive postures. There are regional differences in the Sokyra Tanec but all are recognizable as such. The impressive leaps and kicks only come about through extreme flexibility training which the Oprishok should work on daily.

The Zbojnici warband Society

The group of warriors is often lead by a man of surpassing knowledge and skill. He is called Harnas or Haijduk, meaning chieftain, and leads the others. Often he is set apart in recent themes by wearing red clothing. They all had a voice in decisions however with much well meant name-calling. Meetings were held in the Forest or caves were the brigands would store the loot from previous raids including sabers knives and riffles. The cave was also more than a lair for treasure as the warriors lived in these caves to hide from the Law and those that might do them harm.

The Ancients and the Multi-tool

Resources amongst the Carpathian mountains could be scarce as it could in any mountain culture. The ancient peoples of Europe, not unlike the people of today, respected a well made piece of machinery. A machine that could operate in more than one capacity was more likely to be used as it was readily available and used up less resources. Today with the advent of complicated machinery we forget that tools such as the axe are defined as simple machines, but in fact they are. For my purposes of explanation I will call these items Multitools. Less complicated than the Swiss army knives of today they were nonetheless the height of technology of the time. Rather than being outdated tools of yesteryear these items still have great value culturally and maybe some still practical applications. The axe the hat the belt and other accoutrements of the highlander are meaningful and utilitarian.

The Hat

To many the hat is a symbol of man’s culture. This is also true of the Zbojnici. Many are the types and styles amongst the Carpathian people. The most well known is the wide brimmed bowler style. Black and ringed with cowry shells it has become well known as highlander gear. Not as well known outside those who know of Janosik is the Kolpak. The Kolpak is protection when the world is cold and a mark of the way of life of the people of the east. The design itself is simple consisting of a cap of one color and an upward swept brim of another. The hat can be made of wool and pulled down over the ears in bad weather. Both hats could be used like drinking horns to carry water if nothing else was available. And both hats often sported feathers of eagles or other birds. The feathers were a challenge to acquire as they must be plucked from a living bird.

The Cloak

Although worn over the shoulders the cloak sported two sleeves that were not worn. Sometimes made without the sleeves the cloak was worn as much for protection from cold as for display. Wearing the cloak completed the outfit and was considered akin to a tux today. The best man at a wedding always carried a bottle of vodka tucked into one of the sleeves.

The Shirt

The shirt and pants of the Zbojnici were covered in symbols embroidered over long winter nights. The sleeves often held symbols at the wrists and or neck denoting old clan ties and family patterns. Of the symbols worn by the Zbojnici along with every other person across the Slavic lands was the symbol of the tree of life. This symbol can be seen in the art and carved into the wooden houses of every Slavic nation. The tree of life connecting heaven and earth can be found in every religion from Judeo-Christian to Mayan.

The Shoes

Postoly go by many names such as kierpce, opansky or tsarvouli

. Some call them European or Slavic moccasins which in fact they are however there is a bit more to them than that. The postoly are ancient footware designed with a curved toe. They could be cut out in one continuous piece by a skilled craftsman. Or if one was not so skilled a decent pair could still be culled from a hide of leather by cutting a square measured with the fingers then cutting out leather straps by making a spiral with the string found in the Zbojnici satchel. The upturned toe allowed for safe movement through rocky and hilly terrain saving one the discomfort of a stubbed toe. The soft soles allowed for quiet ambush while hunting game or other more odious hunts. They were easily replaced and good for the terrain making them worthy gear for active people.

The Belt

The belt is as difficult to describe as it is to understand without wearing it. Although in some regions a slim belt is all that is worn the most impressive is the wide leather belt worn over it. Consisting of leather that is folded three ply lengthwise it is then adorned with cheres. There are from as little as two to as many as five or more buckles on this belt that can cover the entire stomach from groin to chest. It protects like armor from blows or axe strikes, and the back feels most secure and stable when lifting heavy objects. It has pockets to hold documents and can hold a pouch of tobacco the sokyra or a pistol. Pouches can be tied to it or extra pockets may be riveted on. On the outside it is often tooled with great care and this along with the shining brass buckles is a beauty to behold

The Satchel (Or wallet)

In the satchel the Zbojnici carried his least warlike effects. Inside could be found string for marking out the fire ring or drawing laces. Dulse for traded from the north to supply energy and salts for active men. Molded acorns to cure infections. And birch fungus or wool fabric for lighting fires. Flint and steel along with other tinder needs would be here to help with daily life. The Satchel was related closely to the oak and knowledge of the woodsman.

The Axe (Her Grace Sokyra)

It is said to create a sokyra is to lose part of your soul to it. Indeed it was believed that the sokyra held the soul of the Zbojnici and that any touch of the axe by evil magic could kill the owner. If nothing else the use and knowledge of the tool can be consuming and one may feel that they have lost their soul.

I cringe to call this creation by such an unworthy name as multi-tool but indeed it is. The Sokyra is a feat of ancient engineering, custom made to the riggers of the Zbojnici. As a tool the axe has a head with a flat top and a double beard. The toe of the head rises a bit above the eye. The beard hangs low to create a useful hook. The other end of the Ash haft is a spear creating a unique double weapon. With this tool the Zbojnici can fell a tree or chop wood for fire. The spear point can be used to dig roots or chip ice to thaw for water. As a traveling companion the Sokyra is most helpful. The flat top can be used as a cane to keep two points of contact on the ground stabilized by the spear. The axe head can be used as a hook to hoist one out of deep ravines or up rocky mountain sides. Held by the long handle the head can grasp a tree limb that would otherwise be out of reach. If the need arose the top of the head could be used as a primitive chair. On the back of the haft rings could hold mementoes of war, hunting, or family. As a weapon the Sokyra is a dangerous adversary in trained hands. Sokyra has a small head and a long shaft so that it may be light enough to be used one handed or two handed. Combinations of movements including chops, stabs or slices could be blended with surprising trip attacks or confusing handle swings. The normal Sokyra has standard measurements but every individual customizes his own. The sword unlike the Sokyra is a weapon of war only. It is made for killing and that is all. Her Grace Sokyra is a helpful hand and a faithful traveling companion and in times of need when called upon can defend her owner. Protecting hearth and home in the mundane and the unusual Her Grace Sokyra shines as one of the greatest examples of culture.

The Dance (Sokyra Tanec)

Sokyra Tanec meaning axe dance is the signature dance of the skillful woodsman. The men always circle to the left to ensure that their axe hand is free. The actions often involve laying down and picking up the axe (always done in a squat.) this teaches fast retrieval and has superstitious undertones. Another aspect of the dances is axe twirling or juggling. Displays such as these can completely deter an opponent as long as he doesn’t pull the Indian Jones maneuver before you do. Jumping the axe takes strength and dexterity and primes the fighter for defensive moves. Great flexibility is required for some moves as the legs must be lifted high. Then at some point each goes out to show their individual skills performing a trick to impress the audience. The step forward with the toe seen during the dance is a cautionary habit that keeps the warrior from tripping in slick shoes. The display of limberness agility and power is entertaining and practical.

The Martial Art

Many martial arts of Europe were repressed by one group or another and when we think of martial art we invariably think of the orient and forget that Europeans also have martial arts. The fighting practice of the Zbojnici is diverse as many lands and skills come into play on the Carpaty mountains. The most recognizably Slavic style however is the figure eight. It can be seen in the dance and in the symbols of the region. The figure eight in a continuous cycle keeps the motion safe and the joints healthy. Many techniques of wellness from the Slavic regions are based on the figure eight. Practitioners of Sambo, Systema, and Forest Warrior style still use it today. The Sokyra and its unusual shape allow for inventive strikes and its constant use as a tool fuels these inventions. The other symbol used during martial art training is the Thundermark its angles each having a name allowed for ease in explanation of strike placement. This is still seen in the martial art known as Skobar. In all there is much we can learn from the Zbojnici both good and bad. And if we can learn from the mistakes can we not also learn from the helpful actions. Preserving of this martial tradition need not lead to tragedy but like the Asians help lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves. So be brave, strong and true, raise your axes high and don’t forget to finish the last drop!