Székelyföld:
the region inhabited
by the Székelys in the northeastern corner of Transylvania,
Romania (periodically, it has enjoyed autonomy throughout its
long history, as a part of Hungary at times, and at times of Romania).
The administrative unit of the Székelyföld is the
szék, which was the local equivalent of the "county",
but free of all feudal obligations. Topographically, the Székelyföld
falls into various sub-regions: there are river valleys, alluvial
plains, mountain ranges and basins. Farming and animal husbandry
are the main forms of making a living, but handicrafts also play
an important part. Lying on the outer limit of the Hungarian-speaking
part of the Carpathian Basin, the Székelyföld has
a folk culture rich in archaic elements, and folk poetry, carved
wooden buildings, and peasant wear which are in the authentic
Hungarian folk tradition.