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Theshepherd's axe is a long thin light axe of Eurasian origin used in past centuries byshepherds in theCarpathian Mountains and in other territories which comprise todaySlovakia,Czech Republic,Poland,Ukraine,Romania andHungary.[1] The features of a shepherd's axe combine a tool with awalking stick, that could be used as a light weapon. It has symbolic historical and cultural connotations and is still used as a prop in many traditional dances, for example theodzemek.[2]
Depending on the language, the axe is called as follows:Hungarian:fokos;Czech:valaška;[3]Polish (depending on the region): ciupaga, rąbanica, obuszek, cekanka, wałaszka[a];Romanian:baltag, secure;Rusyn:валашка, valaška;Slovak:valaška;[4]Ukrainian:бартка, bartka, топірець, topirets').[5]
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A shepherd's axe is a lightaxe with a long and straight wooden shaft, often with a metal butt. The length of the shaft is usually slightly more than 1 metre. The shafts were usually engraved as their owners had plenty of time for crafting.
A small metal head-piece is sharp on one side while the other side is flat and can be used as a hammer. The head-piece is formed to fit comfortably into the hand so the shepherd's axe could be used as a walking stick.
Today's shepherd's axes are mostly decorative, some havinggolden orsilver head-pieces (mostly brass, iron, chromed iron, wood or aluminum – it is rare that any axe head would be made of solid gold or silver). Many are considered works of art (esp. those made up to the 1960s by highlanders). They were skillfully stamped/adorned according to ancient tradition. The main motifs were the sun, stars (whirl), comets, tree of life, flowers, trees such as fir or spruce, and various geometric designs. Some smiths used many different, elaborated stamps.[6]
The first written mention of the shepherd's axe comes from EmperorQin Shi Huang's court.[7] It is also depicted onScythian imagery (seesagaris).[7]The first users of the shepherd's axe were Eurasian nomads.[7] Many of them were found inAvar graves.[7] Besides the commonEastern steppe varieties, Avar influence too can be felt on the Hungarian shepherd's axes.[8]
In the 9th century,Magyar warriors used light axes on long shafts, calledfokos, in their military arsenal during theirinvasion of Central Europe.[8] Apart from them, theBulgars and also theAlans andSlavs used similar weapons.[citation needed]
Vlach shepherds brought their shepherd's axes intoCentral Europe when they migrated along theCarpathian Mountains andDinaric Mountains from the 14th through 17th centuries.[citation needed][better source needed][9] These were used by shepherds as versatile tools, providing a small axe, a supplemental hammer and a walking stick. Although a shepherd's axe could not be used to effectively cut down heavy trees, it was still able to cut smaller branches.
InSlovakia andPoland, shepherd's axes were inseparable tools of native shepherds, together with heavy decorative belts. In theSlovak culture, the shepherd's axe was popularized by local historical legendJuraj Jánošík.
InHungary, modified axes were also used as martial weapons by Hungarian warriors in theearly modern period, used, for example, in the 18th century inRákóczi's War for Independence against Austrian soldiers. In the 17th and 18th centuries, HungarianKuruc leaderImre Thököly and his soldiers used shepherd's axes as weapons. Hungarian shepherds in the northern regions used them also as tools.
Many people of theHalychyna region were depicted holdingbartka, particularly members of the local peasant resistance of the 19th century known as opryshky, often being associated with their more prominent leaderOleksa Dovbush.
At present, shepherd's axes are still made and sold as souvenirs and for decorative purposes. They are also still used in many traditional dances. Occasionally they may be seen in therural parts of the country where older men still use them as walking sticks.
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Afokos is an instrument with the head resembling that of a tomahawk, and may be used as a walking stick