It’s quite interesting and mysterious people.
Gypsies – one of the most obscure and mythologized peoples on our planet, and so it was for centuries. Worldwide rumor has it that when Gypsies come to town, they seduce men and women, and then steal everything that comes their way, including children. There is also a lot of myths about the cunning and mysterious Gypsy fortune-tellers and Gypsy encampments. In any case, even if you put aside all myths and misconceptions aside, the Roma remain one of the most interesting ethnic groups in history.
1. Where they came from
The origin of the Gypsies is shrouded in mystery. Sometimes it seemed that they appeared on the planet in some mysterious way. This in itself may have caused a sense of fear among the Europeans and contributed to an atmosphere of mystery around Gypsies. Modern scholars have suggested that massively Gypsies originally migrated from India in the fifth century.
This theory assumes that their flight was connected with the spread of Islam, which the Gypsies desperately tried to avoid, to protect their freedom of religion. This theory claims that Gypsies migrated from India to Anatolia and further to Europe, which is divided into three separate branches: domari, lomavren and in fact the Roma themselves. The other theory is to have three separate migration for several centuries.
2. The nomadic lifestyle of the Gypsies
Gypsies have long been formed many stereotypes. Who doesn’t know the phrase “Gypsy soul” (which applies in respect of freedom-loving people). According to these stereotypes, Gypsies prefer to live, that is, not in the “mainstream” and shun social norms, to be able to lead a nomadic life, full of fun and dancing. The truth is much darker.
For many centuries, Gypsies have often been forcibly evicted from the country in which they lived. Such forced eviction continues to this day. Many historians have suggested that the true reason for the nomadic lifestyle of Roma is very simple: survival.
3. Gypsies have no homeland
Gypsies — people with undetermined citizenship. Most countries refuse to grant them citizenship, even if they were born in this country. Centuries of persecution and their closed community has led to the fact that Gypsies have simply no homeland. In 2000, the Roma were officially announced vnutritorakalnah nation. This lack of citizenship makes Roma legally “invisible”.
Although they are not subject to the laws of any country, they are unable to access education, health and other social services. Moreover, Gypsies can’t even get passports, making their journey very difficult or impossible.
4. Gypsy persecution.
You should start with the fact that Gypsies were actually enslaved people in Europe, especially in the 14th – 19th centuries. They traded and sold as a commodity, and they were considered “nedolyudmi”. In the 1700s, the Empress of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Maria Theresa adopted a law that put the Gypsies outside the law. This was done to force the Gypsies to integrate into society.
Similar laws were adopted in Spain and many European countries forbade the Roma to enter their territory. The Nazi regime also persecuted and exterminated tens of thousands of Roma. Even today, the Roma have been persecuted.
5. No one knows how many Gypsies in the world
No one knows how many Roma live today in the world. Because of the discrimination often faced Gypsies, many of them not publicly recorded and not identificeret themselves as Gypsies. In addition, given their “legal invisibility”, the birth of children without documentation and frequent moves, many Gypsies were reported missing.
Also problematic is the fact that the Roma do not provide social services that would help to give a clearer picture on their number. However, The New York Times estimates the number of Roma around the world at 11 million, but this figure is often disputed.
6. Gypsies — offensive word
For many people the term “Gypsies” means nomadic and is not considered racially offensive hint. But for themselves “Roma” or “Romani friends” — self-Roma) this word has sinister overtones. For example, according to the Oxford English dictionary, the word “gypped” (derived from “gypsie” is Roma) means a criminal action.
The Roma, often called Gypsies, were considered misfits and thieves, and the word is they were burned on the skin during the Nazi regime. Like many other racial slurs, the word “Gypsy” has been used for centuries to oppress the Roma people.
7. Future, inexpensive…
There are many myths surrounding Gypsies. One of such myths says that the Gypsies have their own magic, which is transmitted for centuries from generation to generation. The myth associated with Tarot cards, crystal balls and fortune tellers tents, as well as with other stereotypes. The literature is replete with references to the Romani language and the magical arts of this nation.
In addition, there are many movies which show the curse of the Gypsies. Even in art, there are a lot of pictures, describing the Roma as mystical and magical people. However, many scientists believe that all the magic is fiction, derived from the fact that people simply knew nothing about the Roma.
8. The absence of formal religion
In European folklore often claimed that Roma have made the temple of cream cheese . Presumably, they ate him when he was a period of severe famine, so left without an official religion. As a rule, Gypsies join the Church , which is the most common in the country in which they live. However, there are many traditional Roma beliefs. Some scientists believe that there are so many connections between Roma and beliefs of Hinduism.
9. Modesty
Although Gypsy weddings are often accompanied by mass celebrations and luxury garments, casual clothes of the Gypsies reflected one of their main life principles is modesty. Gypsy dance is most often associated with women’s belly dance. However, many Roma women have never played what is considered to be today belly dancing.
Instead, they perform traditional dances, in which movements are used only bellies, but hips not because the hips are considered to be immodest. In addition, long flowing skirts, which tend to wear Gypsy, serve to close their legs, because the exposure of legs is also considered immodest.
10. Gypsy contribution to world culture is huge
From the very beginning of its existence, Gypsies were closely associated with singing, dancing and acting. They carried this tradition over the centuries, greatly influenced the art world. Many Roma are assimilated in different cultures, influencing them. Many singers, actors, artists, etc. have Gypsy roots.
