By Gypsies we mean a group of people who are nomads, divided into clans that roamed Europe. Gypsies are far from constituting a single and homogeneous people, and are divided into various ethnic groups.
They are also known as “romi” and throughout Western history they have been marginalized because of their way of life, considered incompatible with European society.
origin of the gypsy people
As Gypsies do not have a written language, their entire history was written by non-Gypsies. Therefore, testimonies are not always free from prejudice.
One of the big questions is to know where the gypsies come from. Currently, India, especially the Punjab region, is considered to be the most likely homeland. From there they would have gone to Egypt, and from there to the European continent.
The first document attesting to the presence of gypsies in Spain is from 1423, when they asked for permission to cross the territory in order to make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Where do gypsies live?
The countries where the largest number of Roma live are the United States (1,000,000), Brazil (800,000) and Spain (710.000).
However, it is in countries such as Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania that the highest proportion of Roma in the population can be seen.
gypsy people in Brazil
Gypsies arrived in Brazil with Portuguese navigators. The Portuguese authorities saw in their overseas territories an opportunity to get rid of these individuals who were considered “undesirable”.
Gypsies settled in practically the entire national territory, especially in Bahia.
Currently, there are three large Roma groups in the country. The first, from Portugal and Spain, which maintains the caló dialect. The second, the Rom, which uses the Romani, and they come especially from Eastern Europe. Finally, the Sintis, from Germany and France, after the First World War (1914-1918).
According to IBGE data, in 2010 there were around 800,000 Gypsies in Brazil. Most no longer live as nomads and are settled in a region.
gypsy culture
As they are nomads, the gypsies were incorporating habits and customs from the regions where they were. However, it is possible to identify common traits that make up the Roma culture.
Gypsies ended up holding jobs that could be performed everywhere. Therefore, men were blacksmiths, traders, caretakers of horses and cattle.
Within the Gypsy clans, women are more restricted to the domestic sphere, but they performed jobs as seamstresses, lacemakers and artists. They also engaged in hand and card reading to predict the future.
Values such as loyalty to family and clan, and intermarriage are other striking characteristics that we can observe in all Gypsies.
Romani - gypsy language
Gypsies developed the Romani language, also called Romance.
It is an unwritten language (not written) and taught orally by Roma families. There are ethnic groups that speak it with ease, but others only know a few words.
Likewise, it is forbidden for non-Gypsies to learn this language. However, with globalization and the internet, this barrier is beginning to break down.
gypsy religion
It is important to stress that Gypsies do not have a religion in the strict sense of the term. They have a set of beliefs and principles, but there is no concrete figure of a god (or gods), nor a religious hierarchy.
Gypsies adopted the religion of the territory through which they circulated. In this way we find Catholic Gypsies, Orthodox, Evangelicals, Spiritualists and Muslims.
Among Roma Catholics, devotion to Saint Sarah of Kali is great, which would have been supported by Roma in southern France.
in religion umbanda there are the "gypsy entities" that would be the spirits of deceased gypsies.
gypsy dance
Gypsy dance is the result of a mixture of various elements, but it was in Spain that it gained strength.
Gypsies danced in their camps, at parties, accompanied by musical instruments, singing and clapping. Both women and men danced in the middle of the circle.
In this way, Gypsy dance is sensual, strong and very expressive, as the whole body participates in the movements. Among women there is the custom of dancing barefoot, with long skirts and richly adorned with jewels.
Among all the elements of Roma culture, the flamenco it is the one with the greatest expression in the world.
prejudice against gypsies
Gypsies have always been the target of prejudice in Europe and this behavior has spread to the Americas.
One of the reasons they were always frowned upon was their lifestyle. They were nomads, in a sedentary society; they had no written laws, at a time when everyone had them. Likewise, despite accepting Christianity, they practiced certain practices condemned by the Church as divination of the future.
Thus, all kinds of stories emerged about these people, classifying them as cheaters and thieves, as if these attitudes were exclusive to gypsies.
Gypsy stereotypes
In the same way that there are stereotypes for northeastern people, blacks, Jews, fat people and anyone that doesn't fit a certain pattern, there are a multitude of preconceived ideas against the gypsies.
One of the most common is that Gypsies stole children and there are numerous legends of babies who disappeared after a group of Gypsies passed through a city. We have to consider, however, that every marginalized people was accused of this crime.
Another very common accusation was that Gypsies stole and lied. This is true when a Roma interacts with a non-Roma. However, among them, there are strict codes of honor that prevent dishonesty among them.
We see that these attitudes were used in order to protect themselves against external attacks and not a characteristic that was born with this people.
persecution of gypsies
Gypsies were persecuted during the formation of National Monarchies in Europe, because everyone who was not Catholic was expelled. This measure hit Jews and Muslims alike.
During the Second World War (1939-1845), Gypsies were persecuted and confined in Nazi concentration camps. An estimated 250,000 Roma were killed during this period, especially in Croatia, where the population was nearly wiped out.
Don't stop there. There are more texts very useful for you:
- Preconception
- What is culture?
- Holocaust
