Photo Series by Guillaume Herbaut: Welcome to Asgarda.

Sexual trafficking and gender oppression is nothing new to Ukraine. What is fairly recent is the push from women to end it and fight back. 

Residing in the Carpathian Mountains, there is a new tribe of women living as examples for each other and for women all around the world, ranging in age but mostly made up of students. They call themselves The Women of Asgarda. There are about 150 of them, all led by a 30 year old Ukrainian named Katerina Tarnouska, unapologetically beautiful and strong (as seen above). When viewing their tactics, it is clear that the Asgarda women have several focuses. 

The Scythians, known as a mythological people of tribal descent from Ancient Greece, is a main focus in their weaponry and combat techniques. Volodymyr Stepanovytch has also left his mark on these women as a Soviet karate master. They study his teachings and perfect themselves based on his methodology, also focusing closely on science-studies in order to continue their own individual education and better their knowledge.

Very little had been known of the tribe until 2004, when French photographer Guillaume Herbaut had the chance to view and document them in action in the midst of the Orange Revolution, a time in which more than ever, corruption and Ukrainian government were seen as one in the same. This is where the tribes near-worship of Yulia Tymoshenko, key figure and co-leader within the Orange Revolution (so named after Viktor Yushchenko's campaign color) came from. The election that took place could be compared to the Bush Vs. Gore situation, and caused an outcry from the public, backed by people such as Tymoshenko. 

She was and is a public figure within the  All-Ukrainian Union Fatherland party, willing to speak out about humanitarian issues and fight against them. The focus of the Fatherland party (not to be confused with the German Fatherland Party) is to convey the "tradition, the legend, and the uneasiness among women in Ukraine." A pretty straightforward statement that can be clearly linked to what drives the Women of Asgarda directly.

They are described as "devout," and "austere," donning traditional clothing with the new and performing in ritualistic ceremonies in order to band together on a regular basis, resulting in a strong sisterhood, knit as tightly as the braids they wear. 

It feels extreme, but these are very extreme times. 

I for one am not going to take up swordplay or move to the mountains, but I can certainly see what it means to these women and what they could mean to the world, then write about it. It feels similar as Herbaut taking photographs. The old and the new can come together and help one another, promoting new ideas and insights instead of letting them hide away in the mountains unknown. There is a fine line between education and exploitation, and these photographs are clearly meant to educate. I'm fascinated with what they do, and between the action of these women and the photographs taken with grace and respect, I have been inspired and made stronger on several levels. 

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