Combat Hopak: The History and Philosophy of Ukrainian Martial Arts: A journey through its evolution, skills, and warrior code

By Erakil Gamboa Pedroza

the book explores Ukraine's unique fighting system born from the fusion of folk dance and battlefield survival, tracing its journey from Cossack warriors to modern adaptations. This living tradition was preserved through centuries-sometimes openly, often in secret-as farmers disguised martial training as folk dancing and villagers passed techniques down through generations under foreign rule and Soviet repression. The book reveals how dance movements became combat techniques, why rhythm matters more than brute strength, and how these principles apply beyond fighting to everyday resilience. Through personal stories and historical accounts, readers discover the Cossack warrior philosophy that shapes Ukrainian identity, see modern applications from urban defense to military tactics, and understand why adaptability triumphs over rigid forms. More than a martial arts manual, this is a story of cultural survival showing how ordinary people kept wisdom alive through dance, work and wartime-turning movement into meaning and tradition into practical tools for modern challenges.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F4XSGYY2
• ISBN13: 9798319478115
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 62 Pages
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"