Janosik - Story of Legendary Slovak Outlaw

A massive range of Carpathian Mountains stretches across Central and Eastern Europe. The highest range, Tatra, with rocky peaks makes a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. Once, it was a home to a legendary Slovak outlaw by the name of Janosik. He was the Robin Hood of Eastern Europe.

A long time ago, at the foothills of Tatra Mountains, in a small village of wooden huts surrounded by green pastures lived a boy by the name of Janosik. He was a boy of great strength. Chopping logs and jumping over mountaineer’s axe made his muscles strong.

Since he was a little boy, he enjoyed stories of the mountain outlaws. One day, he confined his dream to his father, “When I grow up, I’d like to join the famous chieftain of the outlaws, who everybody is talking about.”

“Just remember, be one of those who helps the poor people,” responded the father.

After many summers, it came time for Janosik to leave the village and search for the famous outlaws. He jumped over streams, climbed the rocky walls and wriggled through the thick forests. Such was a path of the mountain outlaws.

He felt free and strong without any fear of the night and its wild animals. One such night, he had a dream of three fairies. Each one gifted him something. The first one said, “This suit of clothes will protect you from any harm.” The second added, “This wide leather belt will give you strength to jump like no other.” The last one finished, “This mountaineer’s long-handled hatchet will make you a leader, no one will defeat you as long as you hold this hatchet.”

In the morning, when Janosik wiped sleep from his eyes, he saw the three gifts from the fairies. He put his new outfit on with the wild belt puffing his chest out, grabbed the mountaineer’s hatchet and continued his adventure.

After a few days of wandering, high in the mountains, he came across a campfire of the outlaws. While approaching them, he moved slowly, but with confidence. All eyes were on Janosik, when he spoke, “I came to join you.”

“You’re too young,” replied one of the outlaws.

“Better go back home before I’ll teach you a lesson,” added another outlaw.

The outlaws burst out laughing. Janosik calmly responded, “I will fight with the chieftain himself, if he is not afraid of me.”

The chieftain hearing this, mumbled under his nose, “I’ll teach you a lesson.”

The chieftain struggled to reach the young man with his blows. Janosik quickly gained the advantage and with his powerful outfit and hatchet won the fight.  

Feeling old and incompetent, the chieftain understood that it was time for him to step down and give a lead to a young and stronger man than him.

Janosik, the new leader, asked the old chieftain to stay and advise him in guiding the group. The young leader was smart and just. He gained respect of his people quickly. Remembering the words of his father, he led his people to assist the poor. The highlanders loved Janosik and his people for their good deeds. In return, they helped in warning the group, when a danger was awaiting them.

One summer, in the favorite mountain village of Janosik, where his lovely Margie lived, there was a wedding to which Janosik and his people were invited to. The wedding of the village chief’s daughter was big and loud. There was dancing and celebrating until the morning hours. The skirts whirled higher and higher in the air with faster and faster beats of the music.

In the morning hours, when everybody was too tired to dance anymore, they laid down on piles of straw. During this time, an old treacherous woman sneaked out of the village and informed the soldiers of whereabouts of Janosik and his men.

The soldiers marched quickly into the village capturing the young man and the rest of the outlaws. They were taken to the city, where they were charged. Only the rich merchants were allowed to witness against Janosik.

One merchant dressed richly with a high hat and rugby on his finger pointed, “He led all my sheep out of pen into the mountains.”

A chubby merchant, with buttons on his belly about to explode, bellowed, “He robbed my whole family while in carriage en route to the city!”

Many other merchants roared their grudges throughout the day, demanding the highest verdict. Not even one poor villager was allowed to testify. At the end, Janosik was sentenced to death.

Janosik with his head high was proud to serve the poor and to fulfill the promise to his father. The highlanders said their goodbyes promising revenge, women and children wailed.

Centuries later, the highlanders still remember Janosik, commemorating him in their paintings, songs and stories.

Note: Janosik was a famous Slovak outlaw, who lived between the 17^th-18^th centuries and grew up in Terchova (NW Slovakia), where his statue stands (below). Another version of Janosik – March post 2014.