Authors

istvan santha¹;  ¹ HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, Hungary

Discussion

The presentation explores the unique approach of Hungarian Orientalists (scientific expeditions, scholarly travelers, Turkologists', and social anthropologists' activities based on fieldwork) towards the Turkic peoples of Central Asia. Unlike the general view that often sees them as subjects to be colonized or representatives of exotic and romantic Otherness, the Hungarian perspective recognizes them as kindred peoples related to the Hungarians. This approach (called self-Orientalism) seeks to identify the features of Sameness between these cultures, paving the way for a deeper understanding of their shared history and cultural heritage. This approach could serve to conceal economic and political interests.