Old Great Bulgaria: Origins, Culture and Legacy of the Ancient Bulgars

The 7th century was a time of great upheaval in the Eurasian Steppe Belt. As the Turkic Khaganat, the first transcontinental Turkic Empire in history, pushed into Europe, it drove several steppe people to the west, notably the Avars. But a certain group of nomadic warriors located in modern-day Ukraine persisted in all of these arrivals: the Bulgars. These Turkic people spoke Oguric, the same Turkic dialect that was prevalent among the Huns in Europe and the White Huns in Central Asia, and are synonymous with the Onogur, a successor state to the Hunnic Empire of Attila. After the Turkic Empire’s complete disintegration, pressure from the Khazars and the newly arriving Majars made the Bulgar tribes leave their home, embarking on a journey to the southwest. There, they founded the First Bulgar Empire and consolidated their rule in the northeast Balkans. In the following centuries, the Bulgars waged many wars against the Avars in the west, Magyars in the north, and the mighty Byzantine Empire in the east. As more nomadic Turkic peoples arrived from the steppe, including the Pechenegs and the Kipchak, the Bulgarians’ identity was changing. Over time, they converted to Orthodox Christianity, and mixed with Slavic peoples, in the process adopting the Slavic language. While the political affairs of the Bulgarian Empire are well known, its pre-history – the history of Old Great Bulgaria – remains relatively obscure. We have mentioned the Bulgars many times on this channel, and will finally explore their complete history: from their roots among the Onogur people, to their traditions and culture, a possible connection to the Dulo tribe of the Göktürks, and their most prominent leaders. Join us in this immersive exploration of the Bulgar legacy, from their roots in the Eurasian Steppe to their indelible mark on European history. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and click the bell icon for notifications on our latest content! Support our channel by joining our YouTube or Patreon community for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and early access to upcoming documentaries. Insta: @thekhansden 00:00 - Introduction to the Bulgars 03:25 - The Turkic Khaganate and the Eurasian Steppe Belt 07:40 - Founding of the First Bulgar Empire 12:15 - Bulgars and Byzantines: Conflicts and Culture 17:50 - The Onogur Era and Early Bulgar History 22:30 - Kubrat Khan and Old Great Bulgaria 27:45 - Bulgar Culture: Tengrism and Traditions 32:10 - The Evolution and End of Ancient Bulgar Culture 38:00 - Conclusion and Legacy of the Bulgars