Obyrtka is danced in Beskid Żywiecki, Zagórze, Pieniny and Beskid Śląski regions. It used to be called łobyrtka or ^uobyrtka and was often performed between other dances or to open village parties. The name of the dance comes from obertanie or obwyrtanie (rotation). In some villages, for example, among Pieniny highlanders, the older name toniec was also used. The pairs rotate around a common axis and move along a circle line against the sun (counterclokwise). Sometimes, to show off or to honour a single pair, it was danced in place na jednej dylinie (on one floor board). The melody is through-composed, and the tempo is fast, 2/4 metre. Dance steps are accompanied by singing, which is often improvised, and the lyrics abound in satire and pungent remarks. The singing takes place in pairs; sometimes the man starts singing, giving a cue, and the woman sings in reply. The dancer who starts obyrtka most often sings alone (and pays the musicians), and after the first or second verse he starts to dance with a chosen partner. Others gradually join the dance, the music picks up tempo, and finally everyone is whirling around the room.

This dance is marked by vitality, with distinctive rotations that can leave you dizzy. The dancer may choose from a range of steps, depending on his imagination and skills. Apart from rotations (obyrtanie) on the right foot, the dancers may perform podchybywany na stopę (with a hop on the foot) and podchybywany na piętę (with a hop on the heel) steps, as well as cupkanie (stamping), hand clapping, arm gestures, loud singing and whistling.

Marcinkowa, Janina; Sobczyńska, Krystyna. Tańce Beskidu i Pogórza Cieszyńskiego. Warszawa: Centrum Animacji Kultury, 1996.

Michalikowa, Lidia. Folklor Górali i Pogórzan Ziemi Sądeckiej. Warszawa: Centralny Ośrodek Metodyki Upowszechniania Kultury, 1990.

Romowicz, Maria. Folklor górali żywieckich. Warszawa: Centralny Ośrodek Metodyki Upowszechniania Kultury, 1978.