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I am a volunteer editor on the Open Directory Project ( www.dmoz.org ). If you see this text on any other search engine or directory, it simply means that they use ODP data, not that I am affiliated with that search engine or directory.

What is a Cossack?

Cossacks were a sub-ethnic group of Russians who lived from the 15th to early 20th centuries and consisted of all sorts of nationalities (Germans, Greek, Turks, Ukrainians) although most were of Slavic origin. They were early colonizers of Siberia and were the founders of almost all Siberian towns. Cossacks were superior horsemen and exceptional warriors who were always on horseback and always ready for battle, 24 hours a day. Men were required to carry weapons all the time. Daggers were provided even for women and children. Babies were carried in a special hood behind the back so hands were free to fight in case of sudden attack.

Anybody could join the Cossacks, if the Cossacks considered him a worthy warrior. There was only one condition - belief in Christ. The Cossacks had a very strong tradition of independence and were known for their courage and free spirit. The name "Cossack" derives from the Turkish word "kazak" which means "free man" or "adventurer".

In the early 15th century, when there were many serfs in Poland and Ukraine, many of them ran away from their overlords and joined the Cossacks. The Cossacks demanded these people be re-baptized with a new name, as a sign of fidelity. These names were different from Ukrainian names, which either contained the name of the village or town they were from, or described their occupation. This custom began with the rise of the Cossacks, when they became a force to be reckoned with. (Muriel Gambrel, 1999)

Cossacks were not only superior land warriors but their fleets of small boats terrified other sea vessels and port cities. Reportedly, they played a crucial role in defeating Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812, when he and his army came to conquer Russia. The Russian Empire relied on free Cossack warriors to defend and expand its southern and eastern frontiers for four centuries until the 1917. Tens of thousands of Cossacks and their families left Russia during the Russian Civil War (1918-20). Descendants of Cossacks now live in the US, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Akis, Administrator of SearchEngines.su.