The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-05-01 / 5. szám
Page 10 THE EIGHTH TRIBE May, 1977 archeological work increased manifold the available and deciphered Sumerian tablets, and made it easier for all interested to engage in a comparative study of the Sumerian and the Magyar languages. The next major wave of Sumerian-Hungarian comparative studies was initiated in the United States by a number of Hungarian emigree scholars during the 1950’s. The pioneer of this new effort was the historian Ida Bobula, who regarded herself as a disciple of Zs. Varga of the University of Debrecen in Hungary. As a result of her efforts, soon others also joined the cause. Gradually, interest in Sumerian-Magyar comparative linguistic studies began to spread throughout the world. And so, by the 1960’s and 1970’s there were scores of adherents of this theory who were researching and publishing in such far away places as Australia and South America, not to mention the United States, Canada, as well as Hungary. With a very few exceptions, the champions of Sumerian-Magyar relations were, and still are, outside the so-called “establishment;” that is, they are not among the ranks of the established professional scholars. Yet, their influence among the general reading public spread very rapidly. Moreover, at times a number of them did come up with a few startling facts that made one stop to think. But as their number increased, so did the number of dilettante and often confusing publications — both in periodicals, as well as in book form. At the same time, however, there also appeared a few more respectable works, which displayed knowledge in the field, and marshalled a number of interesting linguistic, historical, anthropological and ethnographical arguments in favor of the Near Eastern cultural and linguistic roots of the Magyars. Some of these authors advocate not only the Sumerian descent of the Magyars, but also their alleged linguistic and ethnic relationship to such diverse peoples of antiquity as the Egyptians, the Hittites, the Parthians, the Etruscans, and even a number of pre-Columbian tribes of Central and South America. Still others regard the Magyars as the original “proto-people” (ősnép) from whom all of the above-mentioned nations and civilizations stemmed. A great number of these authors — not to speak of their enthusiastic followers — are probably in the category of “dreamers” rather than scholars. Many of them do not have formal training in the historical sciences and in the related disciplines. Others are trained historians, but few have professional training in linguistics — which is the most essential discipline in Sumerian-Hungarian comparative studies, which 30 nations and other cultures; thus, insight into human heritage ought to be gained from out of the preserved record of a culture for a nation as well as all nations, for all time. The Kodály Chorus, with the Rev. Andrew Hamza conducting,, proferred Hungarian selections based on folk tunes, some of which included: “Praise God, All on the Earth” and “Song of Calm Confidence” by László Halmos (who, it was incidentally pointed out, had been a pupil of Kodály) ; also, “0 Saving Sacrifice” composed by Ferenc Liszt; “To the Muse of Fine Singing” by Zoltán Kodály, as well as other compositions by Jenő Ádám, Kálmán Nádasdy, Sándor Veress, and Lajos Bárdos. Peter Korniss remarked directly on informative illuminations to the gathering about his works. He said that these photos specifically were not of presentday Hungary — and that there was a “new wave” of interest “in Hungary and throughout Europe” regarding a need “to preserve folk art.” He was of the opinion that in order to depict the “real spirit of this life before it disappears, one has to show human faces. Also, what is necessary “for one to hold is love and compassion for these people in their most sincere moments.” After all, “peasant life was not easy nor comfortable, but they DID live their lives” as family members “together in communities, sharing the human richness of birth, death,” wotk, weddings, and so on. The ending comment rfiade was: “Today’s Hungary tends to appreciate this authentic heritage of its past.” In an informal interview afterward, Peter Komiss gave some personal glimpses into his background as follows: Starting out as an assistant commercial photographer in 1958, he “concurrently attended the university evenings,” obtaining a “degree in philosophy in 1968.” Mr. Korniss believed he “found no conflict” between the two—in fact, according to him, “philosophy seemed to make things much clearer in photography.” Itinerary plans cover travel in the United States for 45 days to include Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, among other places. In perusal of the exhibition, one can note the pathos of peasants, earthy ruggedness, rural simplicity, stoic endurance, economic poverty, with interspersed spiritual, emotional, and creative enrichment that were imprinted on the faces, hands, and bodies of women and men (the matured mainly focused upon). Their clothing, more often than not, basically appeared to emit a sense of the people’s necessary utilitarian and pragmatic nature. On special occasions, though, one sights in contr ast, a stylistic surge of creativity in dress, home beautification, and culinary arts. For instance, one photograph shows a three-dimensional lamb-shaped, frosted cake bearing the handwritten wish: “Long live the wedded pair,” which was outstandingly prominent on a modestly-bedecked table amidst a room whose wall was adorned with utensils and painted plates, among other handcrafted decorations. (The artfullycreated cake has long since been enjoyed, no doubt, but perhaps not forgotten, since the obvious care in preparation must have been by some person or persons whose heartfelt gesture certainly left an impression, then and now, of warm feelings as an inspired expression of innovative abilities with potentially extraordinary depths by people from an ordinary, everyday walk-of-life! One is tempted to go one step beyond and advance the wish— if only it were they who would reap their just rewards!) M. Takacs Barboe
