Introduction

The question of whether Bulgarians and Hungarians share a common ancestry is a complex one that requires a deep dive into their ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. It is a common misconception that these two ethnic groups are entirely unrelated, simply because one speaks Slavic languages while the other speaks Ugro-Finnish. However, a thorough examination of history and genetic studies uncovers some fascinating connections.

Bulgarians and Hungarians: Genetic and Linguistic Connections

Historically, both the Bulgarians and Hungarians share ties to the ancient Scythians and Sarmatians, as well as the Turkic and Hunnic peoples. The Romans, in their writings, interchangeably referred to these groups as Turkic, Hunnic, Scythian, and Sarmatian. Moreover, traces of Scytho-Sarmatian and Turco-Hunnic DNA and linguistic elements can be found in limited amounts, both among early and modern Bulgarians and Hungarians.

Despite the diversity among these ancient groups, the Scythian or Sarmatian roots theory is more commonly favored in terms of genetic studies of modern Bulgarians. It is worth noting, however, that modern Bulgarians are predominantly of 50% Thracian descent. This Thracian heritage, however, is not directly related to this discussion.

Ethnic Composition and Influences

While Bulgarians and Hungarians are certainly related in terms of race and ethnic affinity, they can also be considered more as cousins rather than the same race. This is due to the complex historical and ethnic composition of both groups.

The Bulgarians, for example, were originally a gathering of various ethnicities who were under the rule of Attila the Hun. After the fall of the Hunnic Empire, the Bulgars settled around the Azov shores in the 6th to 7th centuries, ruled by a Turkic elite. Further pressure from the Khazars led the Bulgars to split into groups.

One group remained in the area under Khazar sovereignty, another crossed the Danube into what is now Bulgaria, and another ventured up the Volga. Smaller groups moved to Germany, Italy, and yet another group, under Kuber, eventually settled in Macedonia. This resulted in the Balkans being populated by two distinct Bulgarian groups, which settled independently and unsynchronizedly from each other.

Settlements in the Balkans and the Pannonian Plain

By the 4th century AD, Bulgarian raids were already present in the Balkans, and they participated in Roman federate battles in the region. When the Bulgars first settled south of the Danube in 681 AD, they were already quite familiar with the area due to previous activity.

On the other hand, the Hungarians, who always called themselves Magyars, entered the Pannonian plain around two centuries after the fall of the Bulgarian state. They arrived later, pretending or being mistaken by their new neighbors to be the earlier Onogur tribe of the Bulgars. This resulted in their exonym becoming "Hungar" from "Onogur-Bulgar," not from "Hun" as many mistakenly believe. The Huns had ceased to exist in Pannonia 400 years before the arrival of the Magyars, thus making any direct relation between them impossible.

Connection to Ancient Names and Rulers

The ancient name list of the Bulgarian kings, believed to have been written around the 9th century AD, indeed starts with Attila, whose name is written as 'Avitohol' in the Old Bulgarian Old Church Slavonic document. This further emphasizes the deep historical connections between the Scythian and Hunnic peoples, including the Bulgars, to the broader Hunnic culture.

Conclusion

Bulgarians and Hungarians, despite the differences in language and some historical events, share substantial genetic and ethnic connections to the ancient Scythian, Sarmatian, Turco-Hunnic peoples. While they are more cousins than the same race, their shared ancestry and historical interactions provide a rich tapestry of cultural and genetic connections.