Õrkõ

Õrkõ is the neighborhood in the Transylvanian city of Sepsiszentgyorgy which is home to about 5,000 gypsies.  In the past, the gypsies of Õrkõ were brick makers. Now they no longer have the city’s permission to do this kind of work, so they make their living by recycling items from the city trash dumps, or finding work outside the country,for instance in Serbia. The older generation cannot read or write, but thanks to a nearby school built by Mother Theresa, there is now hope that the younger generation can assimilate into the larger society.

Families are large, with several generations living together in one small house. Singing and dancing are their recreation, and many are very talented dancers. Young people have now taken over the dancing and singing tradition. Õrkõi music is played on violin, viola, double bass, and accordion. In the past, the cimbalom or clarinet were also used, but now these are very rare.

The Haromszek State Folk Ensemble first introduced the Õrkõi style of gypsy songs and dances to the wider public around 1995, from which it became popular in the dance house movement.

The Kommando gypsy dance camp also helped spread the Õrkõi tradition. One of themost popular of traditional dance camps, it draws participants from over a dozen countries.The Õrkõi gypsy community has mixed emotions about the spread of their dances and songs outside their own circle. Some resent giving away their knowledge and culture, while others, especially among the younger generation, are pleased with the outside interest.Among these is Remusz, considered the best dancer in Õrkõ. Remusz and his family have welcomed researchers and aficionados of Õrkõi song and dance, and have made particularly strong connections with the Haromszek dancers.

Now the Csipke Ensemble is bringing the Õrkõi tradition to the United States for the first time.