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Monday, February 9, 2009

The New Amazons








It's funny. Just yesterday, someone asked me if Pokrovia is real place. I explained that while the kingdom of Pokrovia exists only in the world of Kiki Strike, there IS a town in Russia that's known as Pokrovka. I "borrowed" the name after I read that the graves of an ancient race of warrior women had been discovered a few miles outside of the village. I figured Kiki Strike would have fit in quite well with them.

Back in ancient times, that particular part of the world was teeming with butt-kicking ladies. Among them were the legendary Amazons themselves, who lived in and around what is now the Ukraine. And it seems as if the women there still fancy a fight once in a while.

This morning I came across an interesting photo essay. French photojournalist Guillaume Herbaut recently journeyed to the Carpathian Mountains to spend time with a group of Ukrainian women who aspire to live like modern-day Amazons. They call themselves the Asgarda, and I gotta say, they look pretty tough to me. From what I can tell, their days are spent learning the martial arts, getting weird haircuts, and fighting with some awfully impressive "equipment."

I don't know about devoting my life to their cause, but I sure wouldn't mind hanging out with the Asgarda ladies for a month or two!

See more photos here.
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27 comments:

  1. IsabelaFebruary 9, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    They seem pretty cool. I'm not sure if I could handle their life style, my motor coordination is not very good:)

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  2. MagsFebruary 9, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    kind of freaky in a good way

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  3. Thumb BiterFebruary 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM

    PS - I turned 15 yesterday! :D am I the oldest one here? D:

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  4. Thumb BiterFebruary 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM

    That is pretty awesome...
    I think Asgard is the land of the gods in Norse mythology.

    It was great meeting you yesterday! Thanks for...um...being there?
    and for signing the book :D

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  5. Kirsten MillerFebruary 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    JIN AI: No, I am far, far older than you. Happy birthday. Mine is next week.

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  6. Ren (All By MySHELF)February 9, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    That's pretty cool. I want to learn martial arts. It would be really cool to learn the five or more styles used in Avatar (I can't remember the names of any them).

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  7. HazelFebruary 9, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    Can I join, or do you have to speak Russian?

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  8. Air is WhereFebruary 9, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Happy Birthday to you all! As for me, I'd love to join them and learn martial arts and how to use that "equipment" you were talking about.

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  9. IsabelaFebruary 9, 2009 at 4:42 PM

    Jin Ai: I'm 16, so there are people older than you here. But I think Kirsten is the oldest one.(No I'm not calling you old K).

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  10. NellieFebruary 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM

    "teeming with butt-kicking ladies."

    You are too funny!

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  11. CassieFebruary 9, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    That's pretty cool. I feel the same. I would LOVE to spend a few months with those girls, but I don't know if I could live like that. Forever. :P

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  12. Dakota BlueFebruary 9, 2009 at 7:03 PM

    right now, I feel like an idiot. How could I let this pass? Only one thing to do now! Let's see... I'll need a costume... and pie... and a fake mustache

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  13. falconFebruary 9, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    Hmmmm..... not sure what to think.

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  14. Giant Squirrels or Bust!February 9, 2009 at 8:09 PM

    Happy B-day K. Mine is Wednesday. Totally awesome amazons! It seems pretty intense to be them. Totally cool. Keep up the great blogging. The Chapel Hill Irregular!

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  15. Aye Ayes United!February 9, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    Happy Birthday Anaka! Those amazons sound awesome, but I am not sure I'd like to be one. Sorry I couldn't make it to the reading, running away from home to the Shadow City wasn't an option. Best, Another Chapel Hill Irregular

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 8:36 PM

    Yeah, I could handle that for like, maybe . . . 6 hours? Less? JK. Who else is hyped for Kiki #3? And happy birthday to everybody present. (What, we all have one eventually, right?)

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  17. fireisblindingFebruary 9, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    oh, thts pretty cool. and happy birth day!

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  18. cupcakedollFebruary 9, 2009 at 11:15 PM

    I wonder who that is on their shirts. It looks like a man, which seems strange for warrior women.

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM

    To distinguish myself from other anonymous people, I will call myself
    ~Guesswho13~
    That is really really really really really cool.
    wonder if I could join.....

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  20. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    AWESOME WICKED SICKNESS!!!!!

    Hey, Friday the 13th is coming up. I have no school that day. I'm still deciding whether I should
    go explore a tunnel in New York or pck the lock to some hidden treasure at my grandparents house and discover their dark past.


    OR TAKE AN INNOCENT, LEGAL TRIP TO THE MALL!!!!!

    That was a cover-up, believe me. i think the mall is BORING

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  21. Air is WhereFebruary 10, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    malls are supposed to be boring, I think. on friday the 13th i'm going to be stuck at home. maybe i'll draw a picture of jason or something.

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  22. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2009 at 2:17 PM

    I'm 14 on the 27th! I'm excited...I'd love to join the asgard...but I'm not sure if I like the shaved hair around ears...

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  23. Olivia the VampireFebruary 11, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    :) sorry, the one above was me

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  24. Invisible TurtleFebruary 11, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Will they let me join them?

    Jin Ai- I turned 15 on Friday. Happy Birthday!

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  25. dangerousFebruary 11, 2009 at 6:21 PM

    I would totally spend some time there. Happy Birthday, to all who have one, to everyone else, aaaaa VERY merry unbirthday to you! Kirsten, backwords birthday gift.... perhaps the Kiki #3 preview? Puuuurty please?

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  26. liltomboyblueMarch 9, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    I think that is really awesome, but I don't think I would be able to hang out with just girls. I mean, they're awesome, but still... I hang out mostly with guys, and I like my hair the way it is ^ ^'

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  27. lindseybookwormFebruary 14, 2010 at 11:06 PM

    Where's the sign-up sheet?

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