Have you ever seen those dancers with the baggy pants, funny hats and amazing moves that look like they’d destroy your knees?

No, I’m talking not about break dancers, but the famous Cossacks and their amazing Hopak, the national folk dance of Ukraine.

Since many people outside of Ukraine and Eastern Europe are unfamiliar with the important and rich history of the Cossacks, we dedicate space here to help readers understand who these people are and why they are so important to Ukrainian history and culture. Cossacks, as you will see, are much more than fancy dancers. 

History of the Cossacks

Cossacks first emerged as a recognizable socio-cultural group in the 14th to 15th centuries. They originally appeared along the borderlands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Muscovite Russia, in a region known as the "Wild Fields" which covered much of what is today's Ukraine and southern Russia. This was a frontier zone with little centralized control, and which faced frequent invasions and raids from various powers, including the Tatars of the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire. The people living in this region formed self-governing military communities to defend against these threats; these were the people who came to be known as Cossacks.

Over the following centuries, the Cossacks played a significant role in the military, political, and cultural history of the region. They were often involved in wars with the Ottoman Empire, and participated in rebellions against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and later, the Russian Empire. They also formed their own semi-independent states, known as the Zaporizhian Sich and the Don Cossack Host.

By the late 18th and 19th centuries, the importance of the Cossacks had grown, but their autonomy was gradually eroded by the expanding Russian Empire. They were increasingly integrated into the imperial military structure, becoming a special military estate, a role they kept until the early 20th century.

In the 20th century, the Cossacks experienced a number of challenges during the Soviet era, when their identity was suppressed, and many Cossacks were persecuted or killed. In the chaos following the Russian Revolution, some Cossack groups sided with the White Army against the Bolshevik Red Army in the Russian Civil War, largely due to their desire to preserve their traditional way of life and independence.

When the Bolsheviks emerged victorious from the Civil War, they viewed the Cossacks as a potential threat due to their opposition to the new regime, their military traditions, and their unique socio-cultural structure. This led to a period known as the "Decossackization" in the early 1920s, a policy aimed at breaking down the Cossack identity and eliminating them as a separate entity.

"Decossackization" involved brutal methods including executions and imprisonment in the barbaric Soviet prison labor camp system known as the Gulag. Many Cossacks were classified as "kulaks" (wealthy peasants) under the Soviet class system and were targeted during the forced collectivization and the Great Purge under Stalin. Cossack lands were confiscated, and their traditional self-governance was abolished. During these times, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Cossacks were killed or sent to the Gulag.

During the Soviet era, Cossack culture and traditions were suppressed, and public expressions of Cossack identity were often punished. For instance, wearing traditional Cossack attire or performing Cossack songs and dances could lead to arrest. This persecution and cultural suppression led to a significant decline in the Cossack population and a near disappearance of the Cossack identity.

However, the Cossacks were not entirely extinguished, and after the Soviet Union imploded, there has been a revival of Cossack traditions and culture. In Ukraine, the Cossacks are seen as an integral part of national history and identity. They are associated with a spirit of independence and resistance, reflected in their opposition to various forms of domination and their struggles for autonomy throughout their history. The Cossacks' proto-democratic and military traditions also resonate with many Ukrainians.

Following the independence of Ukraine in 1991, there has been a great resurgence of interest in Cossack history and traditions. This has been encouraged by the state as part of a broader effort to cultivate a distinctive Ukrainian national identity. Cossack symbols, such as the traditional Cossack haircut (the chupryna or oseledets), attire, and the figure of the Cossack warrior, have been reclaimed as Ukrainian national symbols. Cossack traditions, such as music, dances, and festivals, have seen a revival. The Cossacks have also been recognized as an official ethnic group in Ukraine, and there are now several Cossack organizations and communities, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the country.

Notable Cossacks in Ukrainian History

Perhaps one of the most well-known Cossacks, Bohdan Khmelnytsky was a Hetman of the Zaporozhian Cossacks in the 17th century. He led an uprising against Polish rule in 1648, known as the Khmelnytsky Uprising, which resulted in the creation of a Cossack state that was, for a time, independent. Khmelnytsky is a highly significant figure in Ukrainian history, and provides a colorful element to Ukrainian history due to the violent conflicts and upheavals that took place during his rule.

Ivan Mazepa was the Hetman of the Cossack state in Left-bank Ukraine from 1687 to 1708. He initially allied with Tsar Peter I of Russia, but later switched allegiance to Charles XII of Sweden during the Great Northern War. The shift of alliances, however, resulted in defeat, and Mazepa fled to Moldavia, where he died. In Ukrainian culture, Mazepa is often viewed as a champion of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Taras Shevchenko, often considered the national poet of Ukraine, had a Cossack background. His works were heavily influenced by Cossack and Ukrainian folklore, and he often depicted Cossacks in his poetry and art. His writings played a significant role in the development of the Ukrainian language and cultural identity.

The Cossack Spirit Fuels Ukraine’s Fight for Survival

The Cossacks etched a lasting imprint on the land, the culture, and the people of Ukraine. The unbreakable spirit of the Cossacks, renowned for their military prowess and relentless quest for freedom, serves as inspiration for the Ukrainian people now more than ever. As Ukraine struggles against Russian atrocities, the enduring legacy of the Cossacks persists as a powerful symbol of courage and resistance. 

Why not visit and volunteer in Ukraine? You can see Cossack culture in action here in its native environment. Just ask your mother before you get that Cossack haircut!