Kóryos

The kóryos, which means "warband" in Proto-Indo-European, was a widespread cultic phenomenon among Indo-European peoples. Well-known examples include the Germanic ulfhednar (wolf warriors) and the Viking berserkers (bear warriors). These warbands were composed of young, unmarried men from aristocratic and warrior classes, who participated in a rite of passage into adulthood.

The kóryos typically consisted of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 who temporarily lived on the fringes of society. They left their communities to operate as landless warriors, often in small groups of two to twelve individuals. During this period, they hunted animals, raided enemy tribes, and stole cattle, a significant source of wealth at the time. Symbolically, they identified with predators such as wolves and dogs, which were associated with death, lawlessness, and unbridled warrior's fury.

The bands kóryos were led by a koryonos, meaning "master of the warband." The members underwent rigorous initiation rites that required physical and mental strength, and typically possessed nothing except their weapons. Their activities followed a seasonal pattern: in the spring, they set out for raids, while in the winter, they returned to defend their own community. During their time in the kóryos, they learned epic poems and legends, which legitimized their role as warriors and reinforced their identity.

Membership in the kóryos usually ended with marriage. From that moment, the former members were fully integrated into society and took on adult responsibilities.

The kóryos played an important role in society: it promoted group cohesion, served territorial expansion, and strengthened the defense of communities. Additionally, the bands of kóryos contributed to the so-called "feast economies" by acquiring loot, which further supported the power and wealth of rulers. Thus, the kóryos was not only a rite of passage but also an essential part of the political and economic structure of the Indo-European world.

Members of the kóryos identified with wolves or dogs. They wore animal skins and adopted names that referred to these predators, which symbolized death, aggression, and combativeness. By associating with these animals, they placed themselves outside the human world and became wolves themselves.

Wodan, as the master of war and guardian of the cosmic order, was preeminently the god worshiped by members of the kóryos. Wodan was central to the Germanic variant of these war bands and was their god and leader. Like the members of the kóryos, Odin is known for his ecstasies, which were shamanistic in nature. Contrary to the modern cliché image, where the wolf or bear in paganism are benign spirit animals, historically, these animals can be primarily associated with rage, cunning, and violence. This tradition may originate from the fact that these animals attacked livestock, which is central to a nomadic culture.

The kóryos was known for an ecstatic state of fury, which enabled them to display superhuman strength and fearlessness. This fury was often described in terms of transformation, as if the warriors temporarily became predators. Similar concepts can be found in Germanic, Greek, and Vedic traditions.

Wodan is also known for his war fury. With this rage, the aristocracy and warrior class of various tribes fought each other. He was likely associated with the Koryos from the Proto-Germanic tradition. However, he is probably not the first god related to this Proto-Indo-European tradition

Many kóryos fought naked or half-naked, wearing nothing more than a belt and their weapons. The belt symbolizes their connection to the kóryos. Archaeological finds, such as kurgan stelae (found on the Steppe, ca. 3000 BC) and Celtic figurines from the Hallstatt and La Tène periods (800 BC - 1st century AD) confirm this tradition. This tradition can also be seen in the 7th-century horned spear dancer from Finglesham (England) who is naked except for his belt.

The kóryos was often associated with the colour black and the night. Rituals and attacks were often carried out in the dark, emphasizing their connection with chthonic (underworld) forces. This is likely where the Germanic tradition of Black Pete and servant Ruprecht originates. Black can also be seen as the colour of wild animals such as the bear, whose name in Proto-Indo-European was not to be spoken.