The Eighth Tribe, 1975 (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-02-01 / 2. szám
Page Two THE EIGHTH TRIBE February, 1975 BLOOD UNION For several years the Magyars stayed in Atilkoz, but the tribes did not settle down. They did not even build winter quarters. They grazed their herds and lived in their wagons. Their camps were strictly divided by tribes, then again within the tribes, by clans. The wagons were arranged in a big circle, rod-iron shafts pointing outwards, like the quills of a porcupine. This arrangement served effectively against attacks. One day, Greek messengers arrived at the Magyar camps, bringing wagonloads of presents from Byzantium. They went before Elod, the KENDE (Patriarch) and asked him, in the name of their Emperor to lead a Magyar army against the neighboring Bessenyos. They were confused by Elod’s answer. “I have no power over the armies”, the KENDE said. “I rule only in time of peace. When it comes to war, the chiefs must elect a GYULA, who takes command over our entire army, and everyone must obey him, even I.” On the insistance of the Greeks, the KENDE called the seven chiefs to council. To the great disappointment of the messengers, the chiefs refused their request. They did not want war just for war’s sake, or even for the sake of golden presents. The Greeks returned to Byzantium and reported their failure. The Emperor’s chronicler wrote down on parchment the strange facts they had learned about the nomadic Magyars. “The Magyars are ruled in peace-time by a Kende, but in war-time, by a Gyula, who is elected by the tribal chiefs.” During their stay in Atilkoz, the Magyars were preparing for the long-awaited journey to the promised-land, Atilla’s land, which was supposed to be their rightful inheritance. Scouts searched the valleys toward the West to find passage across the mountains which the wagons could travel. Magyar emissaries (envoys) visited neighboring people, building contacts and friendly relations toward the West. They soon secured the alliances of the Saxonians through the marriage of Ágota, the daughter of Almos’ son Arpad, following her conversion to Christianity. Upon the Byzantine Emperor Leo’s repeated request, Levente led a group of warriors against the Bulgarians to aid the Emperor’s armies. The Magyars signed an agreement with the Prince of Kiev, stating that the Slavs would clear the forest ahead of time and build a road for the wagons across the pass of Verecke. The Slavs seemed happy to get rid of their frightening neighbors, paying for their removal only with the sweat of their brows, instead of in blood. Finally, the Magyars were ready to move. The time had arrived to select a Supreme War Chief, who would unite the tribes and lead them into the new land. Almos’ bugle called the tribal chiefs and the heads of all the clans to the big meeting. Atilla’s tent was put up, but the pomp of the gathering leaders almost overshadowed the splendor of the tent. Their braided hair was crowned with pearls and held together with combs of pure gold studded with precious stones. In diamond-crusted holders, heron or eagle feathers swayed as their heads moved under their fur caps. Jeweled buttons and brooches decorated their leather vests, gold bracelets encircled their arms. Belts and scabbards sparkled with precious stones. Even their boots, made of red leather or sable, were decorated with pearls. Coats of sable, marten or leopard skin, hung loosely from their shoulders. It was easier to look into the sun than to watch the brilliantly dressed leaders, as one by one, they dismounted from their horses to enter the tent. Even the chiefs of the three Kabar tribes, who had just joined the Magyars, wore velvet and silk. Old Almos alone was dressed simply, wearing Atilla’s smooth black leather suit. The Táltos was dressed in his snow-white, unadorned garment. Yet all the chiefs and all the leaders took off their caps and bowed low, when Almos and the Táltos passed through their midst, for they were carrying the greatest of all treasures: — the Sword of God, and the simple wooden cup from which the great Atilla had once drunk. Outside, the people surrounded the tent in a square formation. One side was taken by the warriors, standing strictly in order of rank. On the other side, the herdsmen stood in their colorfully embroidered long leather coats. In front, the Csikós (horse-herdsmen), then the Gulyas (cattle-herdsmen), the shepherds or Juhasz, and the pig-herders or Kanasz. Women and girls in their best attire filled THE EIGHTH TRIBE Editor..............................................................Sándor E. Chomos Contributing Editor ............................................ Albert Wass Published and printed monthly by The Bethlen Press, Inc. P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, Pa. 15658, U.S.A. Second Class Postage paid at Ligonier, Pa. 15658, U.S.A. Subscription: $8.00 yearly.
