Panna Cinka

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Panna C(z)inka or Panna Cinková (1711(?), Sajógömör (now Gemer, near Rožňava, Kingdom of Hungary (now Slovakia) -1772) was a famous Romany violinist. C(z)inka Panna is her name in Hungary and Panna Cinková in Slovakia.

Cinka was born in Sajógömör (now Gemer), in modern-day Slovakia, to a Romany family of musicians. She studied music in Rožňava and married a Romany musician-blacksmith. Legends claim that she played violin at the age of 9.

After 1725 Cinka formed a music band with her husband and brothers-in-law. She designed a uniform of sorts for the band. She became famous for her skill with a violin. She played first violin in this ensemble. The band toured abroad and was invited to perform in noble houses. She also gave birth to 4 sons and one daughter.

Cinka Panna died in 1772 and was buried on February 5 in Gemer. Her grave has not survived but future poets gave her an epithet "The gypsy sappho".

Her father and brothers are said to be the authors of the Rákóczi March etc. Many Hungarian writers and composers - such as Mór Jókai, Zoltán Kodály, and Endre Dózsa - adopted her as the character of their works.