UDC 007:304:070

A . Yarok h Karazin National University Subject of cossack-kharakternyk in the Ukrainian information space

Yarokh A. Subject -kharakternyks in the Ukrainian information space. The display of the theme of cossack-kharakternyk in the Ukrainian information space is considered. It is shown of perceptions, interpretations of this content in some discourses. It is made the characteristic of the modern communication grounds, which dis- cusses the topic of cossack-kharakternyk. Keywords: information space, the cossacks-kharakternyks (magician), content, discourse, Internet com- munication.

Ярох А. І. Тема козаків-характерників в українському інформаційному просторі. Розглянуто відобра- ження теми козаків-характерників в українському інформаційному просторі. Показані особливості уявлень, інтерпретацій, формування цього контенту у різних дискурсах. Дана характеристика сучасним комунікацій- ним майданчикам, на яких обговорюється тема козаків-характерників. Ключові слова: інформаційний простір, козаки-характерники, контент, дискурс, інтернет- комунікації.

Ярох А. И. Тема казаков-характерников в украинском информационном пространстве. Рассмотрено отображение темы казаков-характерников в украинском информационном пространстве. Показаны особен- ности представлений, интерпретаций этого контента в различных дискурсах. Дана характеристика совре- менным коммуникационным площадкам, на которых обсуждается тема казаков-характерников. Ключевые слова: информационное пространство, казаки-характерники, контент, дискурс, ин- тернет-коммуникации.

The interest of Ukrainians to the past of our The article deals with the following types of country, its history and culture is growing now. discourses1 related with kharakternyk topic: con- Cossacks-kharakternyks is a well-known phe- ventionally «traditional» and «ethno historical» nomenon in Ukrainian culture. People’s mytholo- discourses. gized consciousness endowed them with super- 1. The traditional discourse — is the one in natural powers. Theme of cossacks-kharakternyks which subjects of communication play within the was reflected in folk art, in literature, sculpture, conventional, well-established systems of con- visual arts, music, and exploration of scientists. It cepts, ideas and interpretations of the events re- is presented in the Ukrainian media space since lated to Kharacternyk, perception of them as part the XV-the century and up to the present time. It of the glorious history of the Zaporiz’ky cossacks involves a lot of mysterious, but is poorly under- and Zaporiz’ka Sich. stood. The image of the cossack-kharakternyk 2. Ethno historical discourse — is the one in differently emerges, is interpreted and used in which subjects of communication acts with faith different discourses: mythological, esoteric, sci- in the ancient pre-Christian roots of kharakternyk entific, historical, ideological, and others. (its link with Aryan heritage, with the Magi — Therefore, the following objectives are rele- vant to the article: to consider the characteristics of the formation and interpretation of cossack- 1 kharakternyks in Ukrainian information space in Given the vagueness of the term «discourse» to specify the value in which it is used in this article. Discourse is a complex a variety of discourses, to characterize modern expression of the subject (s) of real events in the communica- communication platforms, which discusses the tion process. It is both the process and outcome of communi- issue of cossacks-kharakternyks. cation. Within a particular kind of discourse they manifest certain pragmatic or ideological inclination of subjects of communication, their beliefs, faith, interests. This affects the system of concepts and their interpretation in this discourse. At a theoretical level typology of discourses discussed in the article by A. Bakun [2]. kharakternyks, with Runvira2. It is obvious that in Severin Nalyvayko, Petro Sahaidachny, Maxim addition to these discourses, there are other inter- Kryvonis, Dmytro Nechay and the most famous esting discourses of cossack-kharakternyk issues kharakternyk — Ivan Sirko. that is worth investigating. Most of the stories and legends about kharak- Consider the image of cossack-kharakternyk ternyks were recorded in only in the in traditional discourse in which kharakternyk is nineteenth century although the phenomenon is assigned the role to be part of the cultural heritage ancient, and the first mention of them is found in associated with the glorious history of Cossacks the chronicles relating to the second half of the and Zaporiz’ka Sich. This discourse is presented XVI century. To creating the image of harak- in the Ukrainian media space in various forms, as ternyk joined many famous Ukrainian writers. works of art, publications in mass media, aca- , a writer, historian, archae- demic texts, visual arts, folk elegies, songs, and ologist, ethnographer in 1892 wrote a history of even in modern computer games. Subjects of the zaporiz’ky cossacks [14]. In it he described communications in this discourse give kharak- kharakternyks as such «whom neither water, nor ternyk both real and mythological features, create a sword, nor an ordinary bullet but silver couldn’t image-legend. taken by. These «kharacternyks» could unlock By kharakternyks were called those cossacks locks without keys, cross the river on a rug or a of the Sich, who were engaged in guessing, treat- mat, take with bare hands red-hot cannonballs, to ing the wounded cossacks, provided psycho- see in several layers around using special «vert- therapeutic and physical education. Modern lan- sadel», live at the bottom of the river, climb up guage these were people with supernatural abili- and get out of the tightly tied or even sewn ties. Official Church accused kharakternyks in bags...». Born in an old family of cossacks, a black magic. But thanks to a democratic social Ukrainian writer Eugen Grebinka wrote the novel order at the Zaporiz’ka Sich kharakternytstvo was «Tchaikovsky» in 1843 which is based on family not only persecuted but rather gained distribution. remittances [4]. In it he sees kharakternytstvo as All cossacks respected the kharakternyks and the the possession of an old chivalric tradition. In people sang of them in their songs (duma) and 1846, Panteleimon Kulish’s novel «Black Coun- legends, drew them on the pictures. cil» [10] describes the cossacks-kharakternyks. Mythological image of cossack-kharakternyk Taras Shevchenko, giving a portrait of is based on literature, historical eyewitness, folk from the poem «Kerchief», succinctly calls legends and tales. People give him many mystical him — «kharakternyk from Sich». and sometimes even fantastic features. It has We should mention Adrian Feofanovych Ka- magic, can see future, events hundreds of miles in shchenko (1858–1921) — Ukrainian writer, au- other countries, can influence people’s minds, thor of numerous prose works of memorable he- heal mortal wounds (even revive the dead), find roics of Zaporiz’ka Sich. He wrote stories: treasures, get away with it. The texts about «Zaporiz’ka glory», «At the Sich ruins», «Jour- kharakternyks mention their ability to stop the ney to the Dnipro rapids», «On Saga- blood, to ease the pain, catch bullets with his bare jdachny», «Great Meadow Zaporiz’kyj». In the hands, walking on water and fire, to be under stories «From the Dnieper to the Danube», «Ru- water for hours, become invisible, appear in sev- ined Nest» he showed the tragic fate of the Cos- eral places at once and cause panic in the enemy sacks after the destruction of the Zaporiz’ka Sich. [11]. Kharacternyks could control the weather — In the Soviet Ukraine works by Adrian Ka- to disperse the cloud or, alternatively, invoke shchenko were openly red until 1933, and then — rain. Also believed that kharakternyk could be undeserved oblivion of beige a «bourgeois na- killed only by a silver bullet into the heart. There- tionalist». Today websites «Ukrainian Center» fore kharacternyks often were the first to go into [16] and «Ukrainian Union» [13] are returning his battle. According to a legend some cossack’s works to readers. Author’s books in electronic , koshovyj and famous colonels format are presented on these sites. were kharakternyks. Among them Dmytro Baida- The current author Taras Kalyandruk in his Vishnevetsky, Ivan Pidkova, Samiylo Kishka, studies [8–9] introduces the history and develop- ment of spirituality and culture of cossacks- kharakternyks. The researcher believes that 2 Runvira — Native Ukrainian National Faith. This is the faith in the One God Dazhbog. It was established by Spiritual «kharakternyks’ mission was to save the soul of Teacher and Prophet Lion Sylenko by reforming the ancient the Ukrainian people». The author describes (pre-Christian) faith. The first Runvira community was regis- Ukrainian martial arts, which had cossack- tered in 1966 in Chicago. Runvira seeks to preserve native kharacternyks, history, philosophy and psychol- culture, language, customs and rituals Ukrainian-Ruthenian ogy of the Ukrainian knight fighting spirit. lands (Wikipedia). Information on kharakternyks is also in the Ethno historical discourse has acquired a sig- works on the history of zaporiz’ky cossacks by nificant spread in the modern Ukrainian informa- Myhajlo Hrushevsky [5], Vitaly Shcherbakov tion space. He attended many educational web [15], and Vladimir Golobutsky [3]. To scientific portals which promote Ukrainian history and sources on the subject, you can also add studies culture. In the section «History» frequent articles of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy on the history of or posts on the forums about the cossacks- Ukrainian cossacks [6]. kharakternyks. In social networks there are many Mystical halo that has always existed around private and public groups on relevant topics. cossacks-kharakternyks, evident in the folk image Summarizing the posts by discussants [1; 18–22], of Mamaj Cossack, reflected in folk tales, dumas we formulate the essence of views on kharak- and other creative works. «Cossack-bandurist», ternyks in ethno historical discourse. «Cossack-zaporozhets», «Cossack-Mamaj» — Ukrainians are descendants of the Aryan these are titles of the paintings. The basis of the tribes that formed as a cultural and social com- composition of paintings is always a figure of munity in the Black Sea area from where they had Cossack, who sits with his legs crossed on the settled to Europe and Asia. The sacred book of eastern way. It’s posing of meditating warrior. In the Hindus «Rig Veda» tells that in the second mythologized consciousness of Ukrainians Cos- millennium BC in India came the tribes of no- sack Mamaj endowed with features of kharak- mad’s pastoralists — «Aryans». The invaders ternyk. No other work of the ancient Ukrainian were tall, had white skin. Local blacks at that folk art was not destined to live a long life in so time knew neither law nor gods. There is a men- many variants, reiterations and copies. tion of the residuals. This is probably those who Ethnic art critic Tatiana Poshyvaylo believes remained in the indigenous territory that is in the that at a time when the Zaporiz’ka army no longer territory of modern Ukraine. existed in the image of Cossack on folk paintings, Slavic pagan religion, which we, incidentally was perceived as a kind of monument to the he- know a little, has shared with the Indian Vedas roic past of the Ukrainian people. In dumas and ideas. Sanskrit root which is registered in the dreams of Ukrainians he embodied the power of name of the Vedas also enter in the Ukrainian the people spirit, invincibility will during the holy word «vidaty» and means «to know». Vedas are struggle against oppressors. Having acquired a of great importance for the reconstruction of pre- significant spread in Ukraine in the XVIII–XIX Ukrainian beliefs which direct records have not centuries, folk painting «Cossack-Mamaj» sancti- survived. fied almost every Ukrainian house, forming a We can see the parallels between the warri- kind of a sacred complex with the traditional ors — Kshatriyas in Aryan traditions and warri- iconic images. «Cossack-Mamaj» was being ors — Cossacks in days of Zaporiz’ka Sich. An painted on canvas and on the walls of houses, on essential sign of Aryan warriors-Kshatriyas was a the doors and shutters, on the tiles and chests. chuper (forelock), or as it is sometimes called Painting of this cossack sometimes appeared even «kosa» (braid) — a strand of hair that grew from on linden hives [17]. His image is acquired to be the crown of the head (hence — «kosak»). Wear- a value talisman, a house guard. ing a braid meant belonging to the Kshatriya An outstanding researcher Platon Beletsky caste of warriors. Folk call this particular cos- made an assumption that the probable explanation sack’s hairstyle «». It is a sacred symbol for the origin of the composition of «Cossack of a direct communion with God. Modern Ra- Mamaj» painting could be Buddhist icons that jputs3 in India, who also consider themselves cossacks could see at the tents of soldiers in the descendants of the Aryan Kshatriya warriors have Mongol-Tatar army or among things belonging to long whiskers, which, like the cossacks, they Kalmyk Buddhists with whom the cossacks in twist behind the ears, and a «chuper» — a strand 1639–1642 years were allies. Later this composi- of hair on the head, which is called like our tional scheme could be used on a painting of Cos- «chup». They also wear trousers and wide belts. sack-Mamaj. At its billboards and signs, Rajputs anciently Consider the so called «ethno historical» dis- placed trident — a sign of Shiva. It should be course associated with belief in the ancient roots added that of the Aryans preserved among the of kharakternytstva. Participants of this discourse cossacks different words. The scientists claim that emphasize kharakternyk’s relationship with Ar- the preserved many words yan heritage of Ukraine, with the wise men, with the pre-Christian so called Native Ukrainian Na- tional Faith — «Runvira». 3 «Rajputs» in Sanskrit means the sons of kings. Came to northern India in the VI century as conquerors and settlers, but soon became the main defenders. from Sanskrit roots. Ethno linguistic studies in tual and military traditions that date back to its this direction were made by Ostap Nalyvayko roots deep into the millennium. [12]. From here it is concluded: cossacks — the Mythological image of a cossack- descendants of Aryans. Some subjects of com- kharakternyk in the popular mind is Cossack munication put «volhvy» (magicians) in the chain Mamaj. He is paid a lot of attention in ethno his- between the Aryans-Kshatriyas and the cossacks. torical discourse. Poster of site «Ukrainian online Proponents of this idea believe that the «volhvy» community» Yuri Denysyuk draws attention to were guardians of Vedic knowledge. The hand- the similarity of Mamaj images and iconographic book of ancient mythology (posted on the site images of deities in Eastern cultures (e.g. Bud- «Ukrainian Literature»: dha, Shiva and his incarnations), that indicates on http://www.ukrlit.vn.ua/habits/o16c.html) tells of a sacral image. On dedicated status of Mamaj this magicians as follows: «The «volhvy» — are indicates his ritual meditative posture and fore- ancient priests of pagan worship. Holders of the lock so-called «Cossack oseledets» whose tradi- ancient Ukrainian culture and spirituality, tradi- tion of wearing is originated in Aryan culture and tional medicine, knowledge of astronomy, symbolizes the connection with God. mathematics, geography, and the like. They cared Igor Kaganets in his book «A Nation of gold of the ancient Ukrainians’ spiritual level, built collar» develops the idea embodied in the image of houses of worship and observance pagan calen- Mamaj of two incarnations: the incarnation of the dar, protected the sacred forests, groves, rivers. sage-philosopher (in the Aryan tradition — Brah- They were the first thinkers of a civilized world, min) and cossack warrior incarnation (in the Aryan the authors of «Veles book» and Askold records. tradition — Kshatriya). Here is how he describes After 988 «volhvy»-magicians were persecuted the image of Mamaj on folk paintings. «At first by all kinds and physically killed off. These days glance — this is pure Kshatriya — cossack: with they headed anti-feudal struggle of people to limit him a sword and a quiver of arrows, a saddled monarchical power of princes, to restore power of horse along. However, after looking more closely, vіche (congregation) and pagan faith». we see that the Mamaj is sitting in a strange pose With the destruction of the «volhvy» scien- for Ukrainian as if being in a state of meditation. tific knowledge of the Ukrainian national history His eyes focused away. It seems that we have and culture experienced significant losses. And found only the body, the physical sheath, and the thanks to the fact that among the magicians was soul flew to heaven. Perhaps in this way Mamaj many powerful creative personalities, they were charge himself with cosmic energy or is filled with able to transfer the part of our history into epic divine wisdom through prayer. In his hand we see songs. Historical thoughts and ballads contributed a bandura, which further reinforces the impression to preserving the memory of people of his origin. that we face a poet and philosopher, priest and Volodymyr Pilate, the founder of Fighting Gopak sage. His face filled with unearthly serenity and Style, Head of the Holy Union of the sons and kindness, enthusiasm and love [7]. daughters of Runvira (see footnote earlier) be- The following provides an overview of sites lieves that «after the baptizing of Rus’ «volhvy», where there is topic kharakternyks’ in both «tradi- priests and warriors, guards of churches were tional» and the «ethno historical» discourses. The persecuted by princes and Greeks. So they united site of the library and information center «Word» in hidden and remote communities far off large [1] was the first Nikopol regional hub of informa- cities and began to create Siches (settlements). tion for the general public, which deals with the On the islands of the Dnieper, on the Dniester and storage, preservation, transmission of information the Bug coasts, in the Carpathians and numerous in electronic form. The site has published mate- forests of Ukraine (Rus’) volhvy founded schools rial on the history of Nikopol region (one hundred of combat training and hardening in which the and fifty articles, including 25 dedicated to Cos- warrior path to the heights of perfection leaned on sacks). This is not surprising, because nikopols native belief, age-old customs and traditions». people believe their region is the capital of Communicators in ethno historical discourse sug- zaporiz’ky cossacks. Only on a cossack chieftain gest that cossacks-kharacternyks exercised an old of the Chortomlyk Sich Ivan Dmytrovych Sirko it pagan faith and have adopted from the magicians contains 18 articles. not only secret knowledge about man, nature and The site «Ukrainian Center» [18] is a large space, but also fighting practice. In the case of collection of literature on historical themes and a Volodymyr Pilate is an active advocate of restor- large forum. The purpose of the private project ing the traditions of martial arts of cossacks- «Ukrainian national internet portal «Aratta». kharakternyks in contemporary «combat hopak». «Window on Ukraine» [22] is to present Ukraine So Sich was a real treasure trove of ancient spiri- as a state in the global information space as unbi- ased and close to reality, forming yet positive form [16]. The site contains a large number of image of Ukraine as a state in which formed the scanned books and articles on the history of first principles of a democratic society, the crea- Ukraine, including the periods associated with the tion of interactive attractiveness of cultural, his- cossacks. For example: the article «Cossack torical, spiritual, naturalistic attractions, tradi- Mamaj — the image of a warrior and philoso- tions, values and achievements of their own eth- pher» from the book «A Nation of gold-collar» nic culture and Indo-European civilization, the by Igor Kaganets and other articles. opening of «white spots» of history. Portal has A specialized site «Kharakternyk — Forum started on March 1, 2006. There placed a large on Cossacks’ secrecy» [19] collects visitors who number of articles of various subjects, there are have common interests in the following areas: news and a forum. Surprisingly it was found that self-improvement, pursuit of truth, hardening, the top ten most popular publications on the site understanding the world, molfarstvo, esotericism, included publication by Eugen Luciw «Who are Ukrainian spirituality. Powered since 2007. To- the Cossacks-kharacternyks. On the site day Online has five branches. The first branch ARATTA the article by Taras Kalyandruk «Lost «History, Legends, Mention on Kharakternyk» Legacy? Who are the Cossacks-kharacternyks» contains themes: history, legends, stories, theory and the forum on this topic are also popular. of extraordinary ability cossacks-kharakternyks. The site «Ukrainian online community» [21] The second branch of «Worldview, spirituality, presents itself as «a community of people who belief» is all about the spiritual, magical have something to say». For the visitors, site ad- achievements of Ukrainians, about molfars, sor- ministrators apply as follows: «Greetings, trav- cerers and the like. The third branch «Cossack’s eler. Congratulations you travel. Among the vast, mode of life, order, political component» offers though Ukrainian steppe, the expanse of the everything related to the cossacks, but beyond Internet you came to the place where you can phenomenon of kharakternytstvo. On the fourth relax the soul. You slowly will read poetry and branch of the forum «Health: physical and spiri- prose, will reflect on the meaning of philosophi- tual» is discussed healing, herbal treatments, help cal treatises, or take part in heated discussions — people, wisdom. The fifth branch «Not Ukrainian all on your taste. In any case, you have the oppor- currents, religious schools and faith» is devoted tunity to learn a lot and unfold yourself. Welcome to the spiritual achievements of mankind. to the family!». On this site for tag «history» The site «Ukrainian Union» [18] was founded found 32 articles, 7 of which are associated with in 2001. Here large collection of materials (books kharakternyk. These are the following articles: or fragments thereof, publicistics) by section his- «Cossack-kharacternyk. Is he Ukrainian ninja or tory, culture, poetry electronically stored. There is samurai?», «Journey to the Past. Kharakternyks. a collection of Ukrainian prose writer Adrian Memoirs Ages», «Journey to the Past. Kharak- Kashchenko on cossack day theme. One of the ternyks. Mystery of the concept», «Journey to the projects of the site «Ukrainian Union» is a Past. Kharakternyks. Folk memory», «Journey to «Ukrainian electronic library EXLIBRIS» [20], the Past. Vedic view on Kharakternyks», which offers publicistics, fiction, materials on «Kharakternytstvo as a system of esoteric knowl- history. edge and practices», «Image Cossack Mamaj in Given the above statements, you can confi- the context of Aryan heritage of Ukraine». dently conclude that the topic on cossacks- The site «Gaydamak» (Independent Informa- kharakternyks in Ukrainian information space is tion Educational Resources) was established in actively represented and requires a separate and March 2002 in order to spread information about in-depth study. the history of Ukraine in scientific and popular

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