Asgarda is a martial art and community of nationalist and maternalist women in Ukraine (Kutschinsky 2013). Founder Katerina Tarnovska claims it is the only martial art exclusively practiced by women and specifically tailored to the female form (Larsson 2013).Asgarda’s philosophy places great value in Ukrainian culture and traditions and women’s role in society. As a martial art it is close to street fighting, using multiple (historical) weapons. Part of the art is also based on the traditional cossack hopak dance (Kutschinsky 2013).The community’s goal is to train a new generation of Ukrainian warrior women who take pride in their heritage and know how to find a good husband and bring up children (Larsson 2013). The goals of the community are in line with Ukrainian nationalism, promoting patriarchal goals like child birth.
History/Development
Founder Katerina Tarnovska is world champion in kickboxing and started the asgarda community in 2000, but it claims to have descended from the old amazon culture. The ancient warrior women were physically strong, courageous and skillful in martial arts. Through this art, Ukrainian women can reconnect with their warrior past according to Katerina Tarnovska (The World 2013). In 2001 the Asgarda Original School was founded and in 2002 an experimental woman school of martial arts followed. In 2003 the first demonstration of the martial arts style was performed at the International Festival of National and Traditional Martial Arts in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine (Asgarda, n.d.).
Transmission (Policies/institutions)
Asgarda organises schools, workshops and training camps where the asgarda values and fighting skills are taught.
Relevant Organisations
- Asgarda http://asgarda.com.ua/en/
Additional Materials
References
- Asgarda. (n.d.). “Our History”, Official Asgarda website. http://asgarda.com.ua/en/mi-spilnota/nasha-istoriya - Larsson, M. (2013). “The Warrior Women of Asgarda”, YouTube.
- The World. (2013). “Ukraine’s Asgarda martial arts program recasts Amazon warrior women”, The World. http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/blogs/serena-kutchinsky/asgarda-the-secrets-of-ukraines-warrior-women - Kutschinsky, S. (2013). “Asgarda: The secrets of Ukraine’s warrior women”, Prospect. http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/blogs/serena-kutchinsky/asgarda-the-secrets-of-ukraines-warrior-women
