The Székely (Szeklers in English, Secui in Romanian) are a Hungarian-speaking ethnic group, historically centered in the Transylvanian town of Székelyudvarhely, (now Odorheiu Secuiesc, Harghita county, Romania). Székely also live in other nearby counties, especially Covasna and Mureş, but they are linked most strongly to Harghita, and their traditional center is at Székelyudvárhély.

This group has largely succeeded in preserving its traditions to an extent unusual even in Central and Eastern Europe. The Székely people are of uncertain origins, but theories have been advanced suggesting Avar, Gepid, Scythian, or Hunish ancestry, and some have dated their presence in the Eastern Carpathians as early as the fifth century. Some have also suggested the Székely are simply descended from the Magyars, and that cultural differences with other Hungarian groups stem from their relative isolation in the mountains. Whatever the differences of origins, the Székely speak a Hungarian dialect and adhere proudly to their Hungarian identity.

The origin of the Székely people is debated. Many scholars believe in a two-fold Hungarian migration of Transylvania and the Carpathian Basin, one prior to the main Magyar conquest of the Pannonian Plain in 896. According to this theory, the Székelys or Szeklers are a Hungarian group that settled in Transylvania during this first migration.

Another possible source of the Székely people is Hungary: they might be Hungarians who moved to Transylvania to protect the borders of the country.

Others believe that Székelys had different origins, such as Turkic origins. Some - well-debated - scholars believe that the Székelys are related to the Scythians who may have joined the Magyars on their trek westward.

External links

• History and Hymn (http://www.webenetics.com/hungary/szekhimn.htm)
• About Székelyland (http://www.geocities.com/thunsor/transylvania/szekelyland.htm)

Hungarian language

• Székely News (http://www.szekelyhirmondo.ro/)
• Székely links (http://szekely.lap.hu/)