Cossack whip: varieties, photos

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

In one of the poems of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, we are talking about a kind of edged weapon - a whip. Cossack whip - a cruel instrument of death or a symbol of power and respect? What types of them exist today and how do they differ? To answer these questions, let's recall the legends and traditions associated with the whip.

Khan Nagaei and leg

One of the legends says that Khan Nagaei once lived, his tribe was engaged in breeding horses and cattle. To make it easier to control wayward animals, the drovers used whips. In honor of the prince and his people, whips began to be called whips.

According to another version, the whip was small in size and for convenience it was worn not in the hands, not on the shoulders, but was removed by the top of the shoe. The name is associated with the human foot. The whip was next to the foot and gradually it began to be called a whip. There are such different stories associated with this thing.

From ancient times, the whip was considered a Cossack military weapon. Although initially it was an accessory that adorns the dress uniform of a Cossack. During the Patriotic War of 1812, the Cossacks opposed the French soldiers, if the main weapon of the Cossackout of order, he used the whip and very successfully. The Cossack combat whip could be a formidable weapon in experienced hands, with its help they knocked the enemy off the horse, knocked the weapon out of his hands and inflicted heavy, and sometimes even mortal wounds.

Already in peaceful days, the whip was used as a tool for punishing delinquent Cossacks. It was also used when hunting wolves so as not to waste gunpowder.

According to the decree of Emperor Alexander III, issued at the end of the 19th century, it became an obligatory subject of wearing a Cossack.

Century Traditions

The whip was considered the most expensive and honorable gift. Usually the groom received it at the wedding as a gift from the future father-in-law. It was believed that the Cossack whip could only belong to a married Cossack. In the house, she did not roll around at random, but hung in a certain place in the bedroom.

If the owner of the house threw a whip at the feet of the guest, he had to pick it up and hug the owner, thereby showing his respect. If she remained lying on the floor, the person did not want to demonstrate his humility to the owner and he had reason to be offended.

If two Cossacks were in a quarrel, they could exchange whips - and insults were considered forgotten. If it was given, it was considered a special privilege given to a person for any services or as a sign of good relations. When discussing any issue at a meeting of Cossacks, a Cossack whip raised up was considered a sign of consent and approval.

She was even credited with special powers. It was believed that she was able to scare away evil spirits,therefore, she was hung over the cradle of an unbaptized baby.

When a Cossack was dying, they put a whip in the coffin along with a saber.

Each Cossack had to be able to wield this weapon. They taught only boys from 8 years old to 12. In training, they used the techniques of folk dances and games.

Main stages of possession technique

The whip was supposed to become an extension of the hand, only then did it become a serious weapon capable of protecting its owner from offenders. Before moving on to practicing possession techniques, it was necessary to learn how to do the following:

1. Rotate it in different directions and at different speeds without hitting yourself.
2. Rotate the whip, weighted with a load that was attached to the tip of the whip.
3. Learn to handle two lashes.

When the basic elements of possession were mastered, they moved on to practicing striking. There are three main types of strikes:

• With bestowal. The ultimate goal of this strike is to bring down the opponent by grabbing his arms, legs, or the whole body.
• Strike "slap". It is applied at the very end of the whip, and always at an angle of 900.
• With a pull. After a blow, the hand must be quickly withdrawn so that there is a feeling of cutting the blow.

The secrets of ownership were passed down from father to son, from generation to generation.

What does the Cossack whip consist of

The hilt and the whip are the two main elements that make up the Cossack whip. The photo above is perfectdemonstrates it better.

The handle was made of wood, which could be braided with leather. The handle is always 10-15 centimeters shorter than the whip. There are two loops, a larger one for the wearer's hand and a smaller one for slipping the rolled whip when not in use.

The whip was made of leather. In ancient times, there were two of them: one for a horse or other animals, and the other for use in a fight with an enemy. That whip, which was not needed, was removed into the handle, and, if necessary, it was taken out.

The whip consists of several parts: a fringe located at the very beginning of the whip, the main part braided with straps and a small leather bag at the end of the whip, in which the load is placed, to enhance the blow.

Types of whips

There are two types of whips:

1. Donskaya.

The Don Cossack whip is distinguished by the length of the wooden handle and the whip, which is 15-20 cm longer. The length of the handle itself is from 30 to 45 cm. During use, the whip rotates around the handle with rotational movements.

2. Kuban.

The length of the handle is much less than that of the Don. Moreover, it is braided with leather and there is no sharp transition to the whip. This makes it very convenient to strike with a click.

Production technique

In the old days, in every village, every master had his own secrets of making whips, which were kept secret. It is quite possible to make Cossack whips with your hands today, with the necessary knowledge and materials.

They used to be made from large leathercattle, and the skin had to be moist all the time. They started the manufacturing process with a handle, inserted a hair or a stick into it, which they braided with leather straps.

But you don't have to look for animal skin to make a whip these days, an ordinary leather jacket that has already fallen into disrepair is enough.

Whether this weapon will be a subject of cruelty and mockery of the weaker, or vice versa, a subject of pride, honor and dignity, depends only on its owner. The owner of the whip needs to remember the glorious history of the Cossacks, and then it will be in good hands, and the traditions of our distant ancestors will be preserved.