Hungarian Heritage Review, 1991 (20. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1991-01-01 / 1. szám
deserts and mountain ranges, and marauding bandits. Sir Aurel Stein, a third internationally famous Hungarian explorer did succeed in reaching Xinjiang with his expedition in 1913, but exploring the Uygur area regarding the origin of the Magyars was beyond his mission of collecting artifacts for the British Museum. It was not until the 1980's that Hungarian orientalists could finally overcome natural and political barriers to finally take a good look at the Uygurs. They returned impressed by what they had seen, and one after the other gave glowing accounts, documented by audio-visual presentations, of the similarities in facial features, music and folk arts. In addition, reports mention that the Uygurs have an unwritten tradition about their kinship with the Magyars whom they call "vingirs", and who had left many centuries earlier, finally emerging as "conquerors" in Europe. Until further anthropological, archeological and linguistic research is conducted, however, drawing definate conclusions would be premature. This might take long years, because in April, 1990 China declared Xinjiang an "off limit" area again to foreigners. Anti-Chinese agitation among the Uygurs is attributed to the ban. However, one fact stands out in the labyrinth of various theories and that is the undeniable Asiatic influence which is expressed in various forms among Hungarians even today. Legends and folk tales reach back much further in time than the pens of historians. Magyar folk tales are strikingly similar to those of Asian peoples. The structure of Magyar folk music, which uses the pentatonic scale, also points to Asian origins. "We actually have two mother tongues", said Zoltán Kodály, the Hungarian musical genius of this century. "One is the spoken language of Finno- Ugric origin, and the other is the language of our music, which is the westernmost branch of a great Asian musical culture extending from China through Middle Asia to our area." The famous gate ornaments of the Szekelys in Transylvania bear a strong resemblance to those in the pagodas of China. Their tombstones (made of wood) are similar to those seen in Chinese cemeteries. Interestingly, the color of mourning in some parts of Hungary, notably in Somogy Country, is the same as in parts of Asia—white. Hungarian cuisine—using stong spices and seasonings such as paprika, pepper, saffron, and ginger— also bears the imprint of Asian influence, as do the patterns used in national folk costumes. Former premier Count Paul Teleki, perhaps the highest authority on Hungarian history and geography, once said: "I profess with pride, both here and abroad, that we are a people of Asian origin!" The Hun and Avar Connection The best known Magyar folk tale is the Legend of the White Stag. It describes how two sons of Nimrod, Hunor and Magor, were lured into a new land by a fleeing white stag. There they married the King's daughters. The descendants of Hunor and his men became known as the Huns, and the descendants of Magor and his men became known as Magyars. This legend contains a grain of truth in that it points to the common origin of the Huns and Magyars, which Hungarians have known since time * —continued next page 26 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW JANUARY 1991
