Escape violence by becoming a Viking, because irony

Hundreds come to recreate Viking culture - and take part in fierce, competitive battles. Many are drawn by a passion for history. But, for a significant number, it’s a way of escaping their past - a past scarred by violence.

The irony of escaping a violent past by pretending to be a Viking is headache-inducing. But then, this isn't about history. These Vikings are all about tolerance and diversity :

Qanun Bhatti is the chief trainer of the Ulflag Vikings in the UK. He suffered abuse as a child, when he was six years old. Growing up in London in the 80s and 90s, he says he was victimised for being Asian and Muslim, picked on at school and attacked by skinheads. Qanun believes joining the Vikings has healed him.

“Being able to let out my frustrations and aggression in a controlled manner is very beneficial for me.”

Qanun has experienced racism within the Viking world, too. People have commented that he should be playing the part of a slave, on account of the colour of his skin, he recalls. But according to Qanun the true Viking message, which the Jomsborg Vikings try to promote, is one of tolerance and diversity.

“Vikings were so curious about anything that wasn’t the norm, it was part of their special culture. They were inveterate explorers. If someone walked in and was a different skin colour, rather than being: ‘You are different to us, we are afraid,' they’d be like: 'Wow, who’s this? We want to know about this person because they are different to us.’ They were excited.”

They'd also have said words to the effect of, "hand over the gold or we'll rape your house and burn your family", or something. But meh, it seems to be having a positive effect. Can't argue with the evidence.

Norman Hewitt struggled for a long time to be accepted as Jomsborg’s first black Viking. His first job was to convince himself. “It’s not really my scene. I thought there weren't any black Vikings because we weren't taught anything like that back in school.”

In the early 90s in London, he was embroiled in the world of football hooliganism. He was persuaded by a friend to join the Jomsborg Vikings. This gave him a new focus and outlet for his physical aggression. On joining and doing some research, he decided to take the Arabic name of Bin Yusof, to reflect that Vikings mingled with North Africans.

Norman fights less these days, but remains an international training officer for the Jomsborg Vikings, where he is held in high esteem.

Igor Gorewicz has been organising the battles at the Wolin Festival in Poland since the late 1990s. He says he has seen it transform the lives of hundreds of men. The change can take effect after just a week of Viking martial training, he reckons.

The Viking code is all about creating strong men who know how to behave well, says Igor: It allows you to be a tough man, while still respecting others. It also allows someone to escape the baggage of their past because one's Viking reputation rests purely upon their actions in the Viking world.

“In all the cases I know, when they join our society, after a short time, they stopped talking bullshit.”

Look, if getting people to dress up in chain mail and hit each other with blunt swords helps generate a better society, then by God I shall buy front-row tickets.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/viking_club_where_men_fight_their_demons