Blood Oath of the Voivodes

Founding

On this day the Voivodes of the seven tribes of the Lovasnép formed a confederation called the “Héttörznép” (“Seven Tribes Nation”).

On 21 Uganmonat 772, the chieftains of the seven tribes of the Lovasnép – Omsála of the Eujenő, Elöd of the Kérlő, Ond of the Keczilő, Ka’ond of the Kürt-Gárpá, Tas of the Huba, Családapa of the Nágyék and Höto of the Tacdján – came together in a great conference on the Plain of Etelköz at the confluence of the Pyrat and the Suprat rivers. There they formed a confederation called the “Héttörznép” (“Seven Tribes Nation”), electing Családapa as their “Fővoivode.” or High Chief, combining the ancient offices of “Gyulah,” or military chief, and “Kéndeh,” or spiritual chief. It is presumed by modern historians that the seven tribes of the Héttörznép were comprised of some 108 clans, most of which have survived into modern times.   Legend holds that in the manner of their people, the seven chieftains solemnized their bond with a ceremony that has become known to history as the “Covenant of the Blood” or the “Blood Oath of the Voivodes” (Lovásic: Vérszerződés, lit. “Blood Contract”), whereby they cut their left forearms and let their blood flow together in a golden chalice. The Blood Oath is by tradition considered to be the first, unwritten constitution of the Barchurian nation.   The chronicler known only as “Bölcsember C.” in his somewhat unreliable Tettek Lovasnépém (Deeds of the Lovasnép), written between 1199 – 1205, describes the pact as follows:   “And thus they vowed first – that as long as their descendants shall live, their High Chief shall always be of the lineage of Családapa. And thus they vowed second – that all wealth acquired by them must between them be divided. And thus they vowed third – that having chosen the house of Családapa as their rulers by their own will, they and their descendants shall always be included in the ruling council and bear the country’s offices. And thus they vowed fourth – that should anyone of their descendants ever be disloyal to the ruler or incite disagreement between the ruler and his folk, then he should have his blood spilt. And thus they vowed finally – that if a descendant of Családapa, or of any of them, would violate these vows, he should be forever cursed.” – Bölcsember C.: Tettek Lovasnépém