The Eighth Tribe, 1981 (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1981-02-01 / 2. szám
February, 1981 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 3 THE ENCHANTED STAG Long, long ago, in the faraway land of the East, there was a beautiful site. It was bordered by tall mountains to the North, and sparkling seas to the South. From the mountains, two large rivers wound their majestic way toward the sea, between gentle rolling hills and spacious grasslands. The hills were covered with forest, teeming with game. Huge herds of cattle and sheep inhabited the grasslands. The people who lived there were not only mighty warriors, but diligent in work and outstanding in knowledge and wisdom. They lived in abundance and prosperity. King Nimrod was their mighty Ruler. King Nimrod had two sons, Hunor and Magor. Mighty warriors, like their father, they were accustomed to lead a group of select young warriors deep into the woods in their search for game and youthful adventure. One day the two brothers were out hunting, mounted on their favorite horses. Each led one hundred chosen young braves. As they rode across hills and glades, searching for game, they suddenly jumped a beautiful white stag. It was by far the noblest game they had ever seen. Its silvery-white coat looked as if made of moonbeams, with a thousand sparkling stars glittering on his antlers. Fascinated by the beautiful beast, the two brothers and their warriors gave chase. Up hill, down hill, across glades and meadows, the chase went on all day. At dusk, the stag vanished. Hunor and Magor camped down with their men, resting their horses and catching a little sleep. When morning came, there was the beautiful stag again, across the meadow, waiting for them. The chase began anew, from dawn to dusk, into the high mountains, toward the North. Again they camped down for the night, ready to return home the next day, but in the morning the stag appeared as though waiting for them. The chase went on day after day. Across high mountains, across deep valleys, farther and farther to the North, into a land they had never seen before. After crossing the mountains, the enchanted stag lured them for seven days and seven nights, through treacherous swamps and bottomless marshes, until at the end of the seventh day, they reached a land of exceeding beauty, a land rich in velvety meadows, sparkling brooks and beautiful forests, abundant in fish and teeming with game. Here the white stag leaped into a pond and disappeared forever. The two brothers and their men pitched camp near the pond and fell asleep. In the middle of the night they were awakened suddenly by the sound of heavenly music. The full moon shone in the sky. Cautiously following the sounds through a small grove of willow trees, the two brothers suddenly beheld a scene so beautiful that for a moment or two, their very hearts stopped beating. It was the most breath-taking sight they had ever seen. On the shore of the little pond, on the exact spot where the white stag had disappeared, clad only in silvery moonlight, the two beautiful daughters of King Dul were dancing, surrounded by two hundred maidens. In one second, the two brothers fell in love with the two lovely princesses and took them for their wives. The two hundred warriors married the two hundred maidens, and they all settled on the new land. Thus the descendants of Hunor and his men became known as the Huns in years to come, while the descendants of Magor and his men were destined to be called the Magyars. ☆ Nimrod (see Bible, Gen.) was the King of the Sumerian city of UR, which meant the “City of God”. The word UR is still used today in the Hungarian language for God or Lord. The legend of the white stag was first recorded by Hungary’s First Chronicler, in the 12th century. In some parts of today’s Hungary there are still customs Which can be traced back to this legend. For example, between Christmas and New Year, a group of young men, acting as minstrels, visit the homes of marriageable girls, to wish the parents health, prosperity and other pleasant things. These are symbolized by objects such as the golden whip-handle and the silver stirrup. In another instance, a group of young men ask for the hand of the girl for one of their friends. In all these instances, the most clever young man of the village is dressed up as “the Stag”. With jingling cape and antlers on his head, he is the one who knocks on the doors and asks for the min-We urge our readers to participate in gathering news for publication in the Eighth Tribe. If articles of importance appear in your local press about persons of Hungarian descent, organizations or doings — send the clipping to us.
