The Avars or Eurasian Avars were an ancient nomadic confederation of mixed origin. The dominant language of this group was presumably Proto-Bulgarian within the Turkic Oghuz language subgroup, but the true origin of the Avars is unknown. It is possible they were originally a Rouran or Hephthalite group. After settling in Pannonia they subjugated the local Slavic tribes. Gradually they lost power and political importance and eventually the Avars blended with Slavic peoples.
