In the Ukraine, a country where females are victims of sexual trafficking and gender oppression, a new tribe of empowered women is emerging. Calling themselves the “Asgarda”, the women seek complete autonomy from men. Residing in the Carpathian Mountains, the tribe is comprised of 150 women of varying ages, primarily students, led by 30 year-old Katerina Tarnouska. Reviving the tribal traditions of the Scythian Amazons of ancient Greek mythology, the Asgarda train in martial arts, taught by former Soviet karate master, Volodymyr Stepanovytch, and learn life skills and sciences in order to become ideal women. Little physical documentation existed on the tribe, until recently, when renowned French photographer, Guillaume Herbaut, met the Asgarda back in 2004 in the midst of the Orange Revolution.

Yes, the Amazon Women of the Ukraine.. I don't think I've had such an.. ahem.. intimate response to a news story since I read about Rachel Papo's fantastic photo series of Israeli girls in the Army.

This member's always been a sucker for Amazons. I even wrote a sestina about it once.

Karate masters? Check.
Reviving the badass tribal traditions of ancient Scythia? Check.
The smoky, mysterious and dangerous Carpathian Mountains? Check.
Amazingly beautiful Ukranian Women with boxing gloves, scythes and battle axes? Check.

The knowledge they could probably kick your ass and then serve you a plate of delicious perogies.

Double check.

Sweet mother of god.

AnnaLee

SUICIDEGIRL

I'm lost

SEP 28, 2009 11:10 AM

I'm sure that the women trying to defend themselves against becoming victims of sexual trafficking and gender oppression would be pleased to know that you think they look hot when they're holding axes ;-)

mydogfarted

Oakland, NJ

June 2003

SEP 28, 2009 02:26 PM

Personally, I'm a bigger fan of Amazon Women on the Moon.

Kundalini

Kalamazoo, MI

June 2004

SEP 28, 2009 02:29 PM

I just wanted to add my two cents to this topic:

Coyotemike

USA

May 2006

SEP 28, 2009 02:39 PM

Good for them. I hope they get ahold of some of the human sex trafficers.

ZakSmith

Los Angeles, CA

August 2003

SEP 28, 2009 02:44 PM

^^Suddenly they seem way less cool.

Rivera

USA

June 2008

SEP 28, 2009 03:23 PM

i'd hit it.

...errr.. them.

Darke

Columbia, MO

June 2005

SEP 28, 2009 03:28 PM

ZakSmith said:

^^Suddenly they seem way less cool.

It's a fledgling warrior society creating its own traditions and in the process combating the tyranny they we born under. A still photo of a ritual taken out of context doesn't render them any less worth. Their clothing may be symbolic of some aspect of the culture they created.

Regardless, that comment made you seem way less cool.

Shal

Los Angeles, CA

October 2002

SEP 28, 2009 03:59 PM

Phaedrius said:
i'd hit it.

...errr.. them.

I'd love to see you try.

Especially if someone had a video camera.

ZakSmith

Los Angeles, CA

August 2003

SEP 28, 2009 04:02 PM

Darke said:

blahblah....traditions...blahblah....ritual...symbolic.

I am not going to argue. Some people are, for some reason, really enamored of traditions, ritual and symbology and that's really not my problem.

Oh, and for the record, they are wearing traditional eastern european peasant clothes.

PaulNikon

Palm Bay, FL

February 2003

SEP 28, 2009 05:52 PM

I hope they have the internet. I hope they reach out to me.