Hungarian Perceptions of the American Indian

Authors

  • Kinga Szálkai Associate Professor, Budapest Metropolitan University, Hungary.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ahea.2026.607

Keywords:

playing Indian, Hungary, Native American, cultural appropriation, resistance

Abstract

Stories of American Indians representing the forces of good against evil were a typical element of Hungarian childhood throughout the 20th century. The lifestyle and values presented in Indian tales often captured the interest of adults as well, and in some cases, they also participated in Indian camps, wearing Indian clothes and adopting Indian names. Although the popularity and importance of Indian tales and plays have been declining in the 21st century, Indians and their culture still mean a significant point of reference in Hungary. Nevertheless, Hungarian perceptions of the American Indian are not uniform – they reveal a wide range of narratives. The aim of this paper is to analyze and differentiate these perceptions throughout the 20th century and identify the most important overarching narratives to answer two questions: Is there indeed a widespread willingness in Hungarian society to identify with American Indians based on perceived similarities in the different periods of the 20th century? What are the most important factors that explain Hungarians' keen willingness to identify with American Indians?

Author Biography

Kinga Szálkai, Associate Professor, Budapest Metropolitan University, Hungary.

Kinga Szálkai is an Associate Professor at Budapest Metropolitan University, Hungary. She earned her PhD in International Relations and Security Studies from Corvinus University of Budapest in 2017. In Fall 2024, she was a Fulbright Visiting Researcher at Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. While conducting research in the United States, she became interested in the contrasting Hungarian and American representations of Native Americans and the debates surrounding cultural appropriation, which inspired the present study. Her primary research focuses on transboundary water governance and the role of shared waters in fostering cooperation among various actors, with a particular focus on Indigenous peoples.

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Published

2026-08-21

Issue

Vol. 19 (2026)

Section

General Articles

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