Why have the Zaporozhian Cossacks been portrayed as darker in skin tone, as compared to other European troops? Ukrainians are pretty light pigmented, as far as I know. Does it have to do with imperialism, and associating barbarianism (Zapo's challenged the 'civilized' Russian and Ottoman empires) with darker tans?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sergiy_Vasylkivskiy-_Cossack.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sergiy_Vasylkivskiy-_Cossack_colonel.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Repin_Cossacks.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Oboz_Zaporozcow.jpg
Thanks!
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