cossack

Everyday

1. The Cossacks were communities of free, self-ruling warriors and farmers on the steppes of what is now Ukraine and southern Russia, famous as horsemen. tree →
2. Cossack describes their things: a Cossack hat, a Cossack dance. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhian Cossacks had their fortress, the Sich, on the Dnipro river, elected their leaders (hetmans), and are a proud symbol of Ukrainian freedom; Bohdan Khmelnytsky was a famous hetman. There were also Don Cossacks in Russia. Cossacks served as soldiers for different rulers, and their history includes both bravery and cruel deeds. The famous Cossack dance (hopak) has high jumps and squatting kicks. Phrases: «Zaporizhzhian Cossacks», «Cossack hat», «Cossack dance».

Examples

• The Cossacks were famous horse riders. tree →
• The Zaporizhzhian Cossacks lived on islands in the Dnipro river. tree →
• The Cossacks elected their own leader, called a hetman. tree →
• In a famous painting, Cossacks laugh as they write a rude letter to the Turkish sultan. tree →
• The hopak is a lively Cossack dance from Ukraine. tree →
• Grandad wore a tall furry Cossack hat. tree →
• Ukraine's national anthem says Ukrainians are of Cossack kin. tree →
• "What are you crying about?" asked the Cossack. tree →

Note

Usually written with a capital C: Cossack, Cossacks. The word comes from a Turkic word meaning «free person». The Ukrainian word is «kozak».