The Magyarab People, Hungary’s Furthest Children

It is the dream of every ethnologist to discover a wholly new cultural group. In our time, however, that sounds near-impossible. But the unique story of the Magyarabs proved everyone wrong. The Magyarab people were brought to the spotlight only recently, and they represent a unique ethnic group with a complex and mysterious history. Living primarily along the Nile River in Egypt and Sudan, the Magyarab trace their roots back to Hungary. Their origins are linked to Ottoman times, and their existence as a distinct group is little known to the wider world. This group, believed to have formed through the intermarriage of Hungarian soldiers and local Nubian women, has preserved some elements of their Hungarian ancestry while being largely integrated into the cultures of Egypt and Sudan. The story of the Magyarab people is a fascinating blend of migration, survival, adaptation, and identity.

The Magyarab People Never Forgot Their Origins

The distant past and the origins of this ethnic and cultural group are rooted into the conquests and migrations of the inhabitants of the Ottoman Empire of the past.  This is because the history and the inception of the Magyarab people is rooted in the 16th century, during the height of the Ottoman Empire. The stories preserved amongst the elders always tell the same account – a group of Hungarian soldiers, who had been captured or joined the Ottoman forces, traveled to Egypt and Sudan as part of Ottoman military campaigns. They could have been volunteers, mercenaries, or captives. Eventually,  a group of these men ceased their wanderings and their military service and settled along the Nile in what is now Sudan, near the region of Nubia. They apparently like it here, and soon they married local Nubian women creating a community that came to be known as the Magyarab people. The name “Magyarab” is a combination of “Magyar,” meaning Hungarian, and “Ab,” a local word denoting a tribe.

For some, it could seem that the tale  of the Hungarian soldiers traveling all the way to Africa is a bit unrealistic. But it isn’t so – the story fits within the historical Ottoman expansion. During the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire controlled vast territories, including Hungary and much of North Africa. Ottoman soldiers and mercenaries from various parts of the empire often traveled with their armies to distant regions. Some, however, were captured as youths, and served for many years within the army. Either version could have happened to the creators of the Magyarabs.

Nubia, where the Magyarab community settled, is a historically rich region that has served as a cultural bridge between Ancient Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa. For many long centuries, the fertile Nile River has been a path for trade, movement of peoples, and cultural exchange. The Magyarab people found themselves in a region that was a melting pot of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. And for them, it seemed like the perfect place for a new home.

The Nile River. (Ian Sewell/CC BY-SA 1.0)

Soldiers Who Found a New Home in Distant Nubia

For most of their existence, the Magyarab and their origins were unknown to the world outside of Nubia. It was only in 1935 that they were discovered by Europeans, when a Hungarian explorer, László Almásy, stumbled upon the tribe. He listened to the tales of the elders, saying that they descend from Ibrahim el-Magyar, a general who came from Buda (present-day Budapest) in 1517. The General married a local woman, and had a son, Ali. Ali in turn had five sons, who became the ancestors of all today’s Magyarabs. Almásy at once recognized many of the terms these people used, knowing them to have roots in the Hungarian language.

Hungarian explorer, László Almásyand Zichy Nándor on their flight.  (Public Domain)

The Magyarab, while integrating into the local Nubian culture, preserved certain aspects of their Hungarian identity. Oral traditions suggest that the Magyarab maintained memories of their Hungarian ancestors, even as they adopted the language, religion, and customs of the local Nubian and Arab populations. Over the centuries, the Magyarab became fully integrated into the Muslim societies of Egypt and Sudan, but their identity as descendants of Hungarian soldiers remained a key part of their historical narrative.

One of the most striking aspects of the Magyarab people is their linguistic and religious integration into their surrounding environment. Over time, the Magyarab community abandoned the Hungarian language, adopting Arabic as their primary language. This shift was a natural consequence of their long-term residence in predominantly Arab-speaking regions. Today, Magyarab people speak Arabic, and any remnants of the Hungarian language have largely been lost to time. However, linguists studied the speech of the modern Magyarabs and discovered several unique words in their dialect that have no roots in Arabic. These are the distant remnants of the Hungarian language that remained across generations.

Ancient Arabic writings on papyrus. (Andrea Izzotti / Adobe stock)

In terms of religion, the Magyarab people are predominantly Muslim. Their conversion to Islam likely occurred early in their settlement in Nubia, as Islam has been the dominant religion in the region for centuries. The Magyarab have maintained their Islamic faith through generations, and their religious practices align with those of their Nubian and Arab neighbors. However, despite their linguistic and religious assimilation, the Magyarab have maintained a sense of ethnic distinction, holding onto their Hungarian roots through oral history and cultural memory. They firmly believe that they are apart from all their neighbors, and call themselves distinctly Hungarian, preserving their roots against all.

Strangers in a Strange Land

The Magyarab people are a fascinating example of how ethnic identity can persist over centuries, even when a community becomes fully integrated into a new cultural and social environment. The Magyarab’s identity as descendants of Hungarians has been passed down through generations, even though most members of the community have little to no tangible connection to Hungary today. This sense of Hungarian ancestry has been preserved primarily through oral traditions and a shared sense of history.

The community has historically been concentrated in the region of Aswan in southern Egypt and the northern areas of Sudan. These areas, which are part of the broader Nubian cultural zone, have been home to the Magyarab people for centuries. The Magyarab have blended seamlessly into Nubian society, adopting local customs, dress, and social norms. Despite their integration, the Magyarab have continued to identify themselves as a distinct group, preserving their unique narrative of Hungarian descent.

One of the reasons the Magyarab identity has persisted is the tight-knit nature of the community. Historically, the Magyarab people have lived in relatively isolated villages along the Nile, which has helped them maintain their cultural cohesion. Intermarriage within the community has also played a role in preserving their ethnic identity, although intermarriage with other Nubian and Arab groups has been common as well.

A Part of the Broader Hungarian Diaspora

In the modern era, the Magyarab people face the challenges of preserving their unique identity in a rapidly changing world. The construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s led to the displacement of many Nubian communities, including the Magyarab. The dam’s construction resulted in the flooding of large areas of Nubia, forcing the relocation of entire villages. The Magyarab, like many other Nubian groups, were resettled in new areas, often far from their traditional homeland.

A view of Aswan High Dam. (Frostie 2006/CC BY SA 2.0)

The displacement caused by the dam project has had a significant impact on the Magyarab community. While some members of the community continue to live in the Aswan area, others have been scattered across Egypt and Sudan. This dispersion has made it more difficult for the Magyarab to maintain their distinct cultural identity, as many have been absorbed into the broader populations of their new locations.

Despite these challenges, the Magyarab people continue to preserve their unique history. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the Magyarab both within Egypt and internationally. Hungarian researchers and journalists have taken an interest in the Magyarab’s history, and there have been efforts to reconnect the Magyarab community with their Hungarian heritage. These efforts include visits by Hungarian delegations to Magyarab villages and the documentation of Magyarab oral traditions and history. Besides this, the Magyarab have been members of the World Federation of Hungarians ( Magyarok Világszövetsége) since 1992.

The Hungarian Connection

While the Magyarab people have lived in Egypt and Sudan for centuries, their connection to Hungary has not been entirely forgotten. In the 20th and 21st centuries, there have been efforts to re-establish contact between the Magyarab and Hungary. In the early 1990s, Hungarian researchers visited the Magyarab community in Egypt, seeking to document their history and explore their cultural ties to Hungary.

Visiting this cultural group for the first time in centuries, the world almost “re-discovered” them. And, of course, a new interest arose – as many scholars now tried to learn more about them and their distinct Hungarian heritage. Even centuries after their inception, the Magyarab are still proud of their Hungarian ancestry, even though they know very little about their homeland. And even the government of Hungary heard about them and expressed interest in welcoming them into the country. Formally, they even recognized them as a part of the broader diaspora of Hungary, which formally accepts them as – fully Hungarian. All of this comes despite them being so far removed from any modern Hungarian traits – they have been fully assimilated into the cultures of Egypt and Sudan over the centuries.

But even so, the story of the Magyarabs shows us how complex cultural assimilation can be, and how strong the desire for identity and belonging can be. In many ways, their story is truly stunning – the Magaryabs have no idea what Hungary really is, where it lies, or what language is spoken in it. And yet, they fiercely uphold their Hungarian identity, refusing to abandon it even after centuries. And it is definitely a cause for admiration. After all, such is the love for one’s roots.

The Quest for Identity

The Magyarab people represent a fascinating example of cultural adaptation and survival. As descendants of Hungarian soldiers who settled in Nubia centuries ago, the Magyarab have managed to preserve a sense of ethnic identity while fully integrating into the societies of Egypt and Sudan. Their story is one of resilience and adaptation, reflecting the broader historical forces of migration, empire, and cultural exchange.

Today, the Magyarab people face the challenges of maintaining their unique identity in a world that is increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing. Despite the loss of their language and many aspects of their original culture, the Magyarab have preserved their history and continue to celebrate their Hungarian ancestry. Their story serves as a reminder of the ways in which history, identity, and culture can endure across centuries, even in the face of displacement and change. Love your origins!

Top image: The Magyarab people settled on the Nile River.         Source: Isewell/CC BY-SA 1.0

By Aleksa Vucković