The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-04-01 / 4. szám
April, 1977 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 7 was followed by a century of Germanic domination of the Carpathian Basin, and by the simultaneous infiltration of the Slavs from the north. While the Slavic influx continued for the next three centuries, the dominance of the Germans came to an end in the second half of the sixth lentury. The Avar conquest of 568, which was led by the great Khan Baján, made the Carpathian Basin onqe more into the center of a large semi-nomadic empire, ruled by another group of Turks. The Avar rule lasted for two and a half centuries. It was destroyed around 800 A.D. by the expanding Frankish Empire of Charlemagne, and by the rising Bulgarian Empire in the Balkans. During the first half of their dominance, the Avar conquerors extended their control over a vast territory that stretched from Vienna in the west to the Don River in the east. Like all such nomadic state formations, the Avar Empire was also a huge multinational conglomeration, ruled by the dominant Turkic stock. Their earliest subject peoples consisted largely of several Germanic and Sarmatian tribes. But gradually more and more Slavic tribes also came under Avar control. And this was due not only to the expansion of Avar power, but also to the infiltration of the Slavs into the Carpathian Basin. Up to the second half of the seventh century the Avar rule was successful and basically unchallenged. They gradually transformed their empire from a nomadic to a primarily sedentary, semi-feudal state. In the 660’s, however, an internal crisis erupted, which almost ended their rule in the Danubian lands. This crisis was the direct result of the gradual disappearance of nomadic virtues and the consequent laxening of central control. As a result, a number of the regional khans began to challenge the authority of the Great Khan or Khagan. An example of this challenge was that of the Ogur-Bulgar-Hunnic tribes of the Azov Sea area, who freed themselves from Avar control, and established the independent, if ephemeral Onogur-Bulgarian state led by Khan Kubrat. Had it not been for the simultaneous arrival of a new group of “Avars” into the Carpathian Basin (the “Late Avars” or the “Avar-Magyars” of the “first conquest”), the Avar Empire may well have fallen right then. But the new invaders or conquerors, who arrived in 671, soon assumed control of the state. And they bolstered the power of the Avar Empire sufficiently that it managed to survive for another 130 years. As mentioned above, the end of the Avar rule came in 800, when their empire was destroyed by the expanding Franks under Charlemagne’s rule. But Frankish success had not only destroyed the Avar 21 of March 15, 1848.” Included in his talk were poignant remarks—such as, that “it is NOT the Supreme Being who creates slaves but, rather mankind DOES!” Among the St. Michael’s School participants, a verse by Petőfi entitled “Fekete kenyér” (“Black bread”) was recited by Nelly Sovány, and musical renditions by the chorus included “Réten, réten” (“In the field”) as well as “Erdő, erdő” (Forests”). Our Lady of Mt. Carmel pupils, in Hungarian costumes (as were the other participants), gave a varied presentation of thematically appropriate poetic and musical renditions. Last but not least, were presentations by the John Calvin Magyar Reformed Church’s children chorus and youth group with delivery of Petőfi’s poem “A farkasok dala” (“The song of the wolves”) plus folk song performances of “Jó estét kívánok” (“I wish you good evening”), “Állj be, Berci, katonának” (“Join up as soldier, Berci”), “Süvegemen nemzetiszín rózsa” (“My cap has a rose of national colors”), among others as well as folk dancing. The Rev. Francis Vitéz gave the benediction to close the occasion, after which refreshments and dance music were provided for the gathering’s further enjoyment. In summary, this tenth annual commemoration evolved successfully again due to the coordination efforts of a general committee which included the aforementioned Messrs. F. Prybeck, J. Mészáros, in addition to John Horvath, John Marincsak, Charles Tarr, John Fenyar, Erwin Dugasz, Andrew Lovász, Steve Katko, Imre Herczeg; the Srs. (F.D.C.) M. Anita, M. Charlene, M. Dorothy, M. Appolonia, and M. Angeline; Steve Kermondy, A1 Kostu, Imre Toth, Bernard Gilanyi, and Arthur Varga, together with the Honorary Committee comprising all the ministers of the respective participating churches as well as the Hon. Alex B. Eger (Municipal Judge), the aforementioned J. J. Krilla (City Councilman), and 0. R. Kovács (Attorney). In general, everyone came away with a measure of well-being and affective fulfillment for this constructive expression for the spirit of independence and Hungarian advancement. —M. Takacs Barboe If you would like to get in touch with M. Takács Barboe, write to: P. O. Box 2244, Edison, N. J. 08817. Alexander Pásztor: Searching For God I am searching for God in the universe... in the hearts of people... in stone idols... in old scriptures.. . in luminous churches... In vain I am searching... as I imagined, such a God isn’t... and yet, I feel that in the sunshine, in every flower, in children’s smile: There is God! Please do not throw this magazine away after reading it — give it to a friend.
