The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-09-01 / 9. szám
Page 8 THE EIGHTH TRIBE September, 1977 ever, only those of high social standing wore belts. The heads of both men and women were covered by high cone-shaped caps with fur trimmings, or — in the case of women — with embroidered headbands. Women’s caps also had rear veils. Moreover, the caps of well-to-do women had small golden or silver disks hanging from the headbands. While we are not certain, we believe that both men and women wore their hair in plaits. Men probably had three queues — one in the back and two on the sides —, and it is also possible that they shaved the rest of their heads. Hair style, however, may have varied with rank and age. Men’s standard weapons included a moderately arching saber, a powerful “reflex composite bow” and a quiver that held at least forty to fifty arrows of various shapes and weights, as well as a short pike and a round shield made of leather and wood. The saber had an unusual shape in that its hilt leaned in the direction of its edge, and thus it was capable of delivering more powerful blows than otherwise. It was an important fighting tool of the Magyars. Yet, their most important and versatile weapon was the “reflex bow” — so named because when strung it was bent in the opposite direction from its natural curvature. It was a powerful and complex instrument that — because of various aging processes — took from five to ten years of meticulous work to construct. Its body was made of a carefully selected span of pliant wood (generally birch), into which stag sinews were pressed, then reinforced with thin layers of bone, and finally bundled with elastic stag sinews. Its grip and its two ends were made rigid through the application of bone, or hardwood, or both. One of these perfectly made and decorated bows had an unusually high value, and because it was their primary weapon in peace and in war, it may have been the most highly valued possession of a Magyar warrior. The arrows of the Magyars were also constructed with care, and their shapes and weights depended on their intended use in hunt or in war. Because of the work involved in their construction, they too were valuable, and thus were generally retrieved whenever possible. The Magyars were also excellent horsemen, and this applies almost equally to men and women. Because of their horsemanship, and because of their Use of the stirrup (a marvelous invention of the Turkic horsenomads of Central Asia), the Magyar warriors could stand up in the saddle, control their horses with their knees, and use both hands while fighting — an absolute prerequisite for the effective use of the bow and arrow from horseback. Their ability and skill in this martial art 48 that his hosts said was the largest Protestant gathering since the Communists came to power in the late 1940s. Graham said he came to this mostly Roman Catholic nation for five reasons — to preach the Gospel, meet church leaders, observe a socialist society and how the church functions within it, and “help build bridges among peoples.” “All five of my reasons for coming have been more than fulfilled,” said the preacher, whose strenuous schedule apparently triggered a mild recurrence of phlebitis. “I have not joined the Communist party since coming to Hungary nor have I been asked to,” Graham told a news conference Friday. “But I think the world is changing and we’re on both sides beginning to understand each other more.” He said his visit had “taught me many things” about life in Communist countries. “People can come to church and worship God.” Hoping the trip might pave the way for further visits in the Soviet bloc, Graham said he probably would accept any invitations formally extended by church groups in the region. “I am intensely interested in this part of the world,” he said. “And I hope this visit will not be my last.” Except for police directing traffic, there was no sign of Hungarian authorities at Graham’s appearances. The government has begun a campaign of reconciliation with the church, but the Communist party still forbids its 750,000 members to engage in religious activity. Western observers said they were surprised by the large trunout for Graham’s sermons and by the freedom the government gave Graham to move and preach throughout the country. ★ Hungary Keeps Water Polo Title JONKOPING, Sweden — Hungary edged Italy, 8-7, Sunday, August 21, 1977, to defend its title in the “A” Tournament of the European Water Polo Championships. The Hungarian team, gold medal winners at the Montreal Olympics, has played together since the 1974 Vienna European championships and was the overwhelming favorite at this year’s tournament. ITT CONFERENCE — (Continued from page 3) Lecturers on the Second Congress of International Technology include representatives of several countries (Saudi Arabia, Israel, Columbia, Egypt, U.S.A., Canada, etc.), government agencies (U.S. Army, Commerce Department, ERDA, etc.), academic institutions, banks, corporations and attorneys covering a wide variety of technology and business related subjects. * * * Membership in I.T.I.: Full membership annual dues $30.00 (includes voting rights and subscripton to The Journal of International Technology).
