Hopak

Hopak, also pronounced as Gopak, is a Ukrainian folk dance. The dance dates back to the time of the Zaporozhian Cossacks. Hopak is individually danced in pairs or in larger groups. The hopak Dance includes quick turns and jumps that are performed by men. Elements of Hopaks were incorporated in several operas and ballets as The Fair Sorochyntsi by Modest Mussorgsky. The word comes from the Ukrainian Gopak hopaty what "jump" is called or the exclamation word Hop! , It means surprise or rapid movement.

Recently, a new Ukrainian martial art originated, called Kampfhopak. It combines some elements of Hopaks with eastern martial arts techniques.