 Modern scholarly theories of the Magyars ' pagan religious beliefs and practices are primarily based on reports by biased medieval authors and prohibitions enacted during the reigns of Christian kings . Both Christian and Muslim sources say the Magyars worshipped forces of nature . They gave offering to trees , fountains , and stones , and made sacrifices at wells ; these are evidenced by the prohibition of such practices during the reign of Ladislaus I of Hungary in the late 11th century . In accordance with the custom of the peoples of the Eurasian steppes , the pagan Magyars swore oaths on dogs , which were bisected to warn potential <unk> of their fate . Simon of Kéza also wrote about the sacrifice of horses . According to the Gesta Hungarorum , the seven Magyar chiefs confirmed their treaty " in pagan manner with their own blood spilled in a single vessel " . 
