Ancient gypsies. A.V. Black. Ethnic history of the gypsies. Gypsies in North Africa

Gypsies are perhaps one of the most incomprehensible and mythologized peoples on our planet, and this has been the case for many centuries. There are rumors around the world that when gypsies come to a city, they seduce men and women and then steal everything in sight, including children. There are also many myths about cunning and mysterious gypsy fortune tellers and gypsy camps. In any case, even if we put all myths and misconceptions aside, the Roma remain one of the most interesting ethnic groups in history.

1. Where did they come from?

The origins of the Gypsies are shrouded in mystery. At times it seemed that they appeared on the planet in some mysterious way. This in itself may have created a sense of fear among Europeans and contributed to the atmosphere of mystery surrounding the Gypsies. Modern scholars suggest that the Gypsies originally migrated en masse from India in the fifth century.

This theory suggests that their flight was linked to the spread of Islam, which the Roma were desperate to avoid in order to protect their religious freedom. This theory states that the Gypsies migrated from India to Anatolia and further to Europe, where they split into three separate branches: the Domari, the Lomavren, and the Gypsies themselves. Another theory suggests that there were as many as three separate migrations over several centuries.

2. Nomadic lifestyle of gypsies

Many stereotypes have long been formed around the gypsies. Who doesn’t know the phrase “gypsy soul” (which is used in relation to freedom-loving people). According to these stereotypes, gypsies prefer to live, as they say, outside the “mainstream” and eschew social norms in order to be able to lead a nomadic lifestyle, replete with fun and dancing. The truth is much darker.

For many centuries, Roma were often forcibly expelled from the countries in which they lived. Such forced evictions continue to this day. Many historians have suggested that the true reason for the nomadic lifestyle of the gypsies is very simple: survival.

3. Gypsies have no homeland

Gypsies are people without a specific citizenship. Most countries refuse to grant them citizenship, even if they were born in that country. Centuries of persecution and their closed community have led to the fact that the Roma simply have no homeland. In 2000, the Roma were officially declared a non-territorial nation. This lack of citizenship makes the Roma legally "invisible".

Although they are not subject to the laws of any country, they cannot access education, healthcare and other social services. Moreover, Roma cannot even obtain passports, making their travel very difficult or impossible.

4. Gypsy persecution.

It's worth starting with the fact that the Gypsies were actually enslaved people in Europe, especially in the 14th - 19th centuries. They were exchanged and sold as goods, and they were considered "subhumans." In the 1700s, Empress Maria Theresa of the Austro-Hungarian Empire passed a law that outlawed Gypsies. This was done to force the Roma to integrate into society.

Similar laws were passed in Spain, and many European countries banned Roma from entering their territory. The Nazi regime also persecuted and exterminated Roma by the tens of thousands. Even today the gypsies are persecuted.

5. Nobody knows how many gypsies there are in the world

Nobody knows how many gypsies live around the world today. Due to the discrimination that Roma often face, many of them do not publicly register or identify themselves as Roma. In addition, given their “legal invisibility”, the birth of children without documents and frequent moves, many Roma are listed as missing.

Also problematic is that Roma are not provided with social services, which would help paint a clearer picture of their numbers. However, The New York Times estimates the number of Roma people worldwide at 11 million, but this figure is often disputed.

6. Gypsies are an offensive word

For many people, the term "gypsy" means nomad and is not considered a racial slur. But for the “Roma” themselves (or “Romals” - the self-name of the Gypsies) this word has ominous overtones. For example, according to the Oxford Dictionary, the English word "gypped" (derived from "gypsie" - gypsy) means a criminal act.

Roma, often called gypsies, were considered losers and thieves, a word that was burned into their 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 these myths is that gypsies have their own magic, which has been passed down for centuries from generation to generation. The myth is associated with tarot cards, crystal balls and fortune tellers' tents, as well as other stereotypes. The literature is replete with references to the gypsy language and the magical arts of this people.

In addition, there are many films that show gypsy curses. Even in art, there are many paintings that describe Roma as mystical and magical people. However, many scientists believe that all this magic is fiction, resulting from the fact that people simply did not know anything about the gypsies.

8. Lack of formal religion

European folklore often claims that the Roma made a temple out of cream cheese. Presumably, they ate it during a period of severe famine, so they were left without an official religion. Generally, Gypsies join the church that is most widespread in the country in which they live. However, there are many traditional Romani beliefs. Some scholars believe that there are many connections between Roma beliefs and Hinduism.

9. Modesty

Although gypsy weddings are often accompanied by mass celebrations and luxurious attire, the everyday clothing of gypsies reflects one of their main life principles - modesty. Gypsy dancing is most often associated with women's belly dancing. However, many Romani women have never performed what is considered today belly dancing.

Instead, they perform traditional dances that use only their bellies for movement, not their thighs, as moving the hips is considered immodest. Additionally, the long, flowing skirts typically worn by gypsy women serve to cover their legs, as exposing their legs is also considered immodest.

10. The Gypsy contribution to world culture is enormous

From the very beginning of their existence, the Gypsies were closely associated with singing, dancing and acting. They carried this tradition throughout the centuries and significantly influenced world art. Many Gypsies have assimilated into different cultures, influencing them. Many singers, actors, artists, etc. had gypsy roots.

Mysterious peoples lived on our planet in the past. For example, such as .

Gypsies are considered a free and mysterious people, who are characterized by an ambiguous attitude from society. This is due to their way of life, traditions and customs. Some do not like the people for fraud and deception, others “dote on them” and invite their representatives to various events and holidays to enjoy songs and dances. Signs of what gypsies look like include their bright appearance and clothing, which make them stand out from the crowd.

Characteristic signs of gypsies

Gypsies are a large ethnic group of Indian origin. A common self-name is Roma, Roma (or Romaly in the vocative case). However, other ethnonyms are also used: the Finnish and Estonian peoples call the Gypsies “black” (Kale), the French - Bohemians, the British - Egyptians. They are also called sinti, manush and so on.

Since ancient times, people have been wandering around cities and countries, without having their own state.

On April 8, 1971, at the First World Gypsy Congress, they were proclaimed a single non-territorial nation. Since then, this date has been designated as International Roma Day. According to tradition, in the evening they light a candle and carry it along the street.

The territories where the people live include the countries of Europe, North Africa, North and South America, and Australia. According to Wikipedia, the number of European gypsies is 8-12 million. In Russia, as of 2010, the number of representatives of the nationality is 220 thousand. In many countries there are few gypsies and they are scattered throughout the territory. Such small groups are found among the Croats or in China.

However, it is difficult to say exactly how many Roma live in a particular territory. This is due to their characteristic feature - the lack of “legal visibility”. Gypsies and their children live in camps, are often not registered, do not have documents or passports, and are listed as “missing in action.”

The people belong to the Indo-Mediterranean race of the large Caucasian race. They speak the Gypsy language of the Indo-Aryan group of the Indo-European family, which is divided into a number of dialects.

The religion of the Roma includes Christianity and Islam. Representatives of the people of the Orthodox faith greatly reverence God and observe church holidays and customs. Significant events for Christians are Easter and Christmas.

The self-name of gypsies who profess Islam is Ogly.

Depending on their territorial affiliation, there are 6 branches of the nationality.

Western Gypsies include:

Eastern gypsies:

In addition to those named, there are narrow groups: British, Scandinavian Kales, Romanichels, and so on. An ethnic group known as the Lovaris was formed in Hungary. The large branch of Roma also includes various groups, for example, the Kotlyars shown in the photo.

In European countries there are ethnic groups close to the gypsies in their way of life: Irish Travelers, Central European Yenishes. However, they have a different origin.

Hindus are truly anthropologically similar to gypsies. The former are distinguished by their high growth; the Hungarian representatives are characterized by average figures.

Face and head shape

Gypsies are characterized by dolichocephaly (long heads), a straight and slightly sloping forehead.

The photograph shows the famous boxer Johann Wilhelm Trollmann "Rukeli".

A gypsy is easily distinguished by his dark complexion, reminiscent of a shade of chocolate or old parchment.

Eyes

Mostly the eye color of a representative of the people is dark, brown, possibly green.

The latter is especially revered by the gypsies, as it is characterized by magical powers. But they avoid blue-eyed people because of the “evil look” that can cause trouble.

The photo shows the actress, dancer, singer Soledad Miranda, who tragically died at the age of 27.

Gypsies are distinguished by their expressive, piercing and quick gaze, which puts a person into a state similar to hypnosis and helps to see the past and future.

Nose

The forms of the olfactory organ among gypsies are varied. The nose is predominantly large in size. At the same time, it can be long and thin. The shape can be straight or eagle with a hump.

The photo shows footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Hair

For gypsies, hair is a sign of happiness - the longer, the better. In the past they were often shorn, exiled and isolated. Therefore, women and men try not to wear their hair too short.

Dark and curly hair is typical; red color is considered to attract happiness. Gypsies also have chestnut, golden-brown shades.

The photo shows dancer, model, artist Adelina Plakhotnaya and singer, member of the group “Korni” Alexander Berdnikov.

Adeline Plakhotnaya

Alexander Berdnikov

In France, there are Gitans - blue-eyed representatives of the nationality with blond hair.

Blonde gypsies are shown in the photo.

Appearance of a gypsy

The image of the fairer sex among gypsies is distinguished by its brightness; expressive makeup, fluffy colored skirts, beautiful gold jewelry: rings, brooches, chains are always present.

At the same time, modern Western European standards of beauty are alien to them - they do not show long naked legs.

It is believed that the area below the waist is clean only in young girls before the birth of children. Afterwards it becomes “bad” and you cannot touch this area. Two fluffy toe-length skirts cover the “dirty” area, but one is not enough.

The photo shows gypsy women in traditional costumes.

Face

The look of the beautiful gypsy woman is mesmerizing; you can look into her “diamond” eyes endlessly. Their color is predominantly brown or green.

The hair is lush, long, thick, black, dark chestnut, red, light brown. They often curl. The skin is usually dark, but light color is also possible.

Actress, model, dancer Rita Hayworth is recognized as one of the most beautiful gypsy women.

Figure

Traditional gypsy dances allow you to clearly see the figure of a gypsy.

Such dances help fathers look for girls who will be suitable brides for their sons.

Gypsies are characterized by a flexible, graceful body. Young girls are slender, fragile, tender.

The photo shows actress and singer Diana Savelyeva.

Since gypsies are characterized by large families, women’s figures become rounder and plumper towards maturity. However, numerous births do not affect natural elegance and grace.

Gypsy names and surnames

The full name of a nationality includes 3-5 parts:

• official;
• secular;
• surname;
• last name;
• nickname for a branch of the family.

The official name is the one registered in documents or received at baptism.

Secular is widely used when communicating in everyday life with gypsies or other nationalities. These include:

• A nickname is a unique characteristic of a person or the events that happen to him (“Waterman”, “Crow”).
• Baptismal - if it differs from the official one;
• Name in Gypsy or other exotic language (Taghari).

Secular names can coincide with official ones or be their abbreviations: Dmitry - Mito. Moreover, a person is called this not only in childhood and adolescence, but throughout his life.

The patronymic is used when you need to introduce yourself officially (when interacting with government agencies, during ceremonial congratulations, and so on).

The Kotlyars have a unique naming system. They may have a middle name from their father, mother, or both parents.

The gypsy is satisfied with the secular name, which is even used together with the surname.

Surnames are used in the same way as other Europeans. With a large family, a special nickname is added to the surname. In Russia it usually comes from the secular name of famous ancestors.

In gypsy society, good names are those that are associated with faith, God, jewelry, and the sun. These are Bogdan (given by God), Zlata, Vera, Drago (precious), Rubina, Diamond and so on. “Flower” names for women are also welcome: Lily, Jasmine, Rose and others.

To designate a character trait in a person they call it: Veselina (cheerful), Svetlana (light), Shanita (calm), Shuko (handsome) and so on.

Origin

In the world

The roots of the Roma people originate in India. This is evidenced by their genetic analysis. Haplogroup H (Y-DNA) is present in Gypsies (60%) and Native Indians (27%). It is also found among Tajik, Syrian peoples, Kalash, and Kurds from Turkmenistan.

The gypsies are originally from northwestern India and appeared about 1.5 thousand years ago. Their language was influenced by the Persians and Greeks. The homeland of the gypsies is determined by Rajasthan, Kashmir and Gujarat.

After 6 centuries, the people immigrated to Europe, most likely due to their oppression by Muslims. In this case, there is a mixture of blood with other nationalities. The main part of the ethnic group occupies the territory of Europe, but most of all there are Romanian and Hungarian gypsies. Their number ranges from 2.5-8 million people. In Bulgaria, the share of ethnic groups is 4.7% of the population (370 thousand people). Sufficient number of representatives among Serbs.

The photo shows gypsies in Romania and Hungary.

Gypsies in Romania

Gypsies in Hungary

The description of history during the tyranny of the German fascists led by Adolf Hitler includes the mass extermination of Gypsies, along with Jews.

The attitude of other nationalities towards the Roma people has long been ambiguous. Until the 15th century, Europeans were friendly towards them, but then the situation reversed. Why this happened is explained by the behavior of the gypsies: it turned out that they steal, deceive, and beg, which is how they earned the reputation of swindlers and vagabonds.

After this, the people began to be ousted from the territories, spread oppression, abuse of them and even murder. However, after 3 centuries the situation has stabilized, the gypsies are treated more tolerantly.

The people are divided into sedentary, semi-sedentary and nomadic castes. The latter lived in a camp, the main one of which was the waida - the leader. He resolved internal conflicts, represented people before the authorities of the country where they were nomadic at that moment.

Sedentary or semi-sedentary people took root everywhere, adapting to religious customs and accepting the faith of the people where they were located.

In Russia

The routes where the gypsies came from on Russian soil are the Balkan countries (in the 15th century), Germany, Poland (in the 16th-17th centuries). They appeared in the 17th century on the territory of modern Ukraine.

The increase in the number of Gypsies occurred as the borders of Russia expanded. With the annexation of part of Poland, Polish Roma emerged, Bessarabia - Moldavian, Crimea - Crimean.

Before the revolution of 1917, men were engaged in horse trading, women - fortune telling and magic. The nomads were fond of begging, fortune-telling and witchcraft, and sometimes blacksmithing. The gypsies who settled in St. Petersburg in the 30s of the 19th century replenished the choirs, many of which were freed by the government from serfdom. The popularity of the people and their culture at that time was extremely high. Noble people married gypsy girls.

After the revolution, a decree is issued so that the people organize a lifestyle suitable for working. This is how the gypsies joined the Soviet family; the nationalities fought together against the enemy during the Great Patriotic War.

The only gypsy who was awarded the title “Hero of the Soviet Union” was Timofey Prokofiev, a Marine. Thanks to the gypsy, the Germans did not defeat the Nikolaev landing force. He kept up machine-gun fire until the last minute, and even after being mortally wounded in the head, he gathered his strength and fired a burst at the approaching fascists.

In 1956, a decree was issued again, after which the bulk of nomads adopted a sedentary lifestyle. Modern gypsies are endowed with the rights to choose their field of work, receive secondary and higher education. However, only a few use them.

The origins of the gypsies are known to scientists, but rumors are widespread about who they are and where they came from. There are versions that these are Moldovans or Romanians. Or even gypsies are descendants of the sunken Atlantis. The Moldovan and Romanian people belong to other ethnic groups. And the version about belonging to Atlantis is due to the mystical abilities of the ethnos.

The nationality is correctly written in the plural “Gypsies”, despite the fact that Alexander Pushkin’s poem is called “Gypsies” - this is an outdated form.

Features of the character and life of gypsies: customs and laws

In 1971, after the World Roma Congress, the national anthem and flag shown in the picture were adopted.

People use symbols as a coat of arms: a deck of cards, a horseshoe, a wheel.

Gypsies are characterized by a free lifestyle. Its representatives to this day are engaged in traditional activities: they sing, dance beautifully, walk, play the guitar, train bears and other animals, and like to tell fortunes. At the same time, mostly friendly and warm relations develop in the community.

Cheerful jokesters are invited by request to holidays: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries.

Gypsies are often portrayed as swindlers and beggars. They can be found at train stations, on trams, trolleybuses, electric trains, sitting on the roadsides with small children, begging for alms.

They pester passers-by with offers to tell fortunes; they are excellent psychologists who can gain trust. If a person talks and answers, they beg him for alms by suggestion. In this case, the victim voluntarily gives away all the money from the wallet.

Of interest is the ethnic group of sea gypsies - the Bajo, who roam the Indian Ocean. They live in huts above the water and go fishing. They go to land exclusively for trade, boat repairs, replenishing fresh water, or in case of funerals.

However, modern young sea gypsies often do not want to live by the rules of their ancestors. They move to land, study and work in normal conditions, which was not common among previous generations.

Movies are made about the life of gypsies, rules and traditions: “The Return of Budulai”, “The Camp Goes to Heaven”, “Gypsy” and so on. Many world-famous actors have gypsy roots.

For example, People's Artist of Russia Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya, shown in the photo.

The famous actor and comedian Charlie Chaplin was a gypsy.

There is debate about the nationality of many famous people. Data is provided that the famous singer Elvis Presley comes from a family of German gypsies who emigrated to the United States.

The peculiarity of the life of a nationality is that its representatives are often either fabulously rich or poor. In the first case, their houses resemble palaces with luxurious and expensive furnishings.

In the second case, the Roma live in extreme poverty in the absence of basic living conditions. They often act as illegal immigrants.

Gypsies eat simple food; Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Romanian tendencies can be traced in the dishes of the national cuisine. They love chicken, lamb, beef, beet soups, sauerkraut, they cook tumals (tamales) - minced meat wrapped in a corn tortilla, harba - a product made from blood, liver and lard. The national drink is black tea with herbs and berries.

The life of the Roma is filled with customs and rules, many of which are mandatory.

Other nationalities have beliefs associated with gypsies. If you dreamed of a camp, the dream book speaks of a desire for promiscuous sex life with frequent changes of partners. The dream of gypsies riding horseback from place to place signals nostalgia for the past. The fortune teller is seen as giving fate to the wrong person. In general, what gypsies dream about means hasty decisions and actions. If you went to buy something from them, this foreshadows the loss of money.

Wedding

The ritual is responsible for the transition of a young boy and girl to a new hierarchical status. This is the reason why gypsies marry early. If a girl is 19 years old and unmarried, she is considered an old maid. At what age young people get married is often decided by their parents. A girl is recognized as a potential bride after 14 years of age. Only in late marriages are the feelings and choices of the lovers taken into account.

The wedding is preceded by a betrothal ceremony performed by the parents. In early marriages, the decision to marry does not depend on the will of the children.

A bride price is possible, but in this case she is expected to earn back the money spent.

The girl marries a virgin. Proof in the form of a bloody sheet is provided after the wedding night. If a gypsy girl is not a virgin, it is considered a disgrace by the nation.

Marriages between representatives of the nationalities of different states are unlikely. This is tantamount to marrying a non-gypsy, which is not encouraged by gypsy law. Repeated marriages are discouraged.

Funeral

The ritual of how the funeral takes place is determined by the belief that a person in the other world needs things that he needs in life. Gypsies prepare for burial in advance; children save money to send their parents off with dignity. A gravestone of impressive size, where the deceased is depicted in full growth, is considered luxurious.

When a person is buried, relatives or friends are given 3 items through the coffin: an icon (male or female), a carpet and a bed. Essential items and alcohol are placed inside. Mirrors are covered for 40 days and mourning is observed for a year.

Gypsy curses

The rituals are recognized as carrying magical powers and are considered among other nationalities to be the reason why gypsies are dangerous. However, not all of them have mystical abilities. A real magician will not perform complex rituals in vain. Therefore, curses from angry fortune tellers are usually empty words.

Gypsies can curse when causing offense to the family. There is usually no charge for it.

Signs that a person has a curse are:

• weight loss or gain, deterioration in health, appearance (aging);
• development of diseases that cannot be treated;
• apathy;
• nightmares;
• a believer does not wear a cross, refuses to attend church out of fear;
• scandals in the family;
• leaving pets at home.

To remove damage, it is advisable to use water - wash your face in the river in the morning for 12 days, reciting a special spell. Cemetery rituals and others are also used to get rid of damage.

Gypsy law

It is an unwritten set of rules to be followed in gypsy society and outside it. Currently, each country has its own law, and even different nationalities within it.

Compliance is monitored by elderly members of the community, conflicts and violations are dealt with by a Roma court, which includes authoritative people.

The most terrible sentence is the expulsion of the criminal.

The main tenet of the law is compliance with the rules and restrictions of non-Gypsy society when dealing with it.

Murder, rape, and infliction of severe physical harm are prohibited.

The rules of behavior within the gypsy society are also announced: clothing, holidays, everyday life, an overview of professions, and so on.

Common Stereotypes

Stereotypes about gypsies come from numerous stories about their lives, stories of victims of fraud and people's own observations, since gypsies are present in almost every country in the world.

• They have no homeland. Roma are people without a specific citizenship, which they are often denied even if they were born in a given country. Recognition of a nationality as non-territorial made them legally “invisible”.
• They don't like to study. Representatives of the nationality send their children to school to teach them basic knowledge: reading, writing, and counting. Often, after this, the child quits his studies, helping his parents in trading.
• Gypsies consider it an honor to drink a lot without getting drunk.
• Gypsies are good psychologists who have hypnosis. For this reason, they should be avoided; fortune telling with them will do more harm than good. The main goal of a gypsy is to earn income. Rare individuals have the ability to predict; others create a magical image around themselves: witchcraft balls, tarot cards and other paraphernalia.
• Roma have high rates of domestic violence. The wife bears a heavy burden, submitting to a tyrant husband, and at the same time is forced to endure, since tradition implies marriage for life.
• A gypsy family must have at least one son. If this does not happen for a long time, the boy is taken from the orphanage, regardless of his nationality. This was one of the reasons explaining the claim that the gypsies stole children. Often people, seeing a bright, blue-eyed and completely different child in the camp, declared that he had been stolen.
• If a family has a two-story house, a woman cannot climb to the second floor if her husband is on the first

Roma are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without their own state. They can be found in any country in Europe, the CIS, and America, and their number is about 8-10 million people. How did it happen that the gypsies began to lead a nomadic lifestyle and settled in many countries of the world, while their closest relatives continue to live in their homeland?

According to geneticists, the ancestors of modern gypsies left India around the 6th-10th centuries and moved to Persia (the territory of modern Iran). According to one version, 1000 people were given by the Padishah of India as a gift to the Shah of Persia. According to historical information, these were jewelers and musicians, and donations of valuable professions were common at that time. Having lived there for about 400 years, the gypsies headed west and soon found themselves in Byzantium.

On the territory of Byzantium, they adopted Christianity and lived along with other peoples, being full members of society. According to written sources, the Gypsies were famous blacksmiths. In addition, they were engaged in the manufacture of horse harnesses, breeding horses, and also trained animals and gave performances.

But after the fall of the Byzantine Empire in the 15th century, the gypsies, in search of work and food, left their inhabited places and moved to the north and west of Europe. In Europe itself there were quite difficult times and the settlers were not very happy. The situation was complicated by the fact that the first gypsies who arrived in new countries were, as a rule, not the best representatives of gypsy society. Unencumbered by family and housekeeping, seekers of an easy life, they engaged in theft, fraud and begging. This led to the fact that the gypsies gained a reputation as vagabonds and scammers, and it became increasingly difficult for them to find work and become part of European society. In search of a better life, gypsies from Spain and Portugal began to move to Latin America.

Thanks to their difficult history and constant wanderings, the gypsies found themselves in genetic and linguistic isolation from the closest speakers of their language - the Indians. The Romani language belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of Indian languages. The language itself has several dialects, formed in different regions of compact residence of Roma. In addition to their native language, Roma often speak the language of the country in which they live.

According to statistics, the largest number of Roma live in the United States, where there are about 1 million. More than 500 thousand Roma live in Brazil, Spain and Romania, and about 200 thousand representatives of this people are registered in Russia. Today, April 8, is considered Gypsy Day and, despite the fact that this people does not have their own state, they have their own flag, in the center of which there is a symbolic wagon wheel.

In reference literature, instead of the usual word “Gypsies,” the term “Roma” is often used. The answer to the question of why this name is preferred should be sought in the distant past. In this article you can read about the history of this people and find out what the gypsy flag looks like.

Ancestors of modern gypsies

It is worth noting that the term “Roma” is used exclusively in European countries and on the American continent. The Armenians call these people “crowbars,” and the Palestinians and Syrians call them “doms.” Among linguists, there are two versions of the origin of modern Gypsies:

1. A long time ago, the northwestern regions of India were inhabited by nationalities, some of which migrated to neighboring states.
2. Many centuries ago, the gypsies settled on the territory of the Roman Empire (Byzantium), where they lived for almost three hundred years. Accordingly, they called each other Romans. Thus, after the ending was isolated from this name and introduced into the Gypsy language, it acquired a new sound, i.e. "Roma". Despite the logical explanation, the ancestors of the wandering gypsies must still be sought in India.

It would be wrong to think that the Roma set off on a journey without a specific goal, wherever they looked, or wandered in search of adventure. Apparently, they left their homes, as they say, not because of a good life. The gypsies were forced to wander for serious reasons. Most likely, they were driven by economic considerations. Only in uncharted lands was there an audience for camp artists, many new clients who were interested in fortune telling. Craftsmen were given the opportunity to trade the results of their labor. The history of the Gypsy people is filled with pain, but at the same time the people did not forget about fun and dancing.

Passionate people

There are differences between Roma depending on their country of residence. It's not easy to understand the composition. There are different ones with different dialects, and other specific characteristics of culture and ethnicity.

Gypsies are for whom generally accepted human values ​​are in the background. A completely different attitude towards gold and freedom. Representatives of this nation are unsurpassed thieves. Roma tend to take revenge on anyone. There are also legends about passionate gypsy love, and songs overflowing with emotions touch the soul. The music of the gypsies has a special flavor, so it is always pleasant to listen to the works of the camp.

Problems with education

But among the Roma, with rare exceptions, you can find representatives of intelligent and creative professions: architects, painters, writers, etc. These freedom-loving people sacredly honor their national identity and do not “dissolve” in the culture of the area where, by the will of fate, they have to live. There is even a gypsy flag of its own.

Despite the fact that representatives of the Roma nationality are found in almost every corner of the globe where civilization is present, they have managed to preserve their cultural identity. Including the caste division of community members that is characteristic of India. Once upon a time there was a custom among the gypsies, according to which a gypsy family took in other people's street children to raise. Every mother taught her daughters the wisdom of fortune telling.

The role of men and women in the camp

According to Gypsy tradition, several families united into a camp. Each of them had the right to leave this group when the desire arose. The maximum number of mobile tents reached 25. Everything that was earned had to be equally divided among all members of the community, including the disabled and the elderly. The exception was representatives of both sexes who did not start families; each of them could count on only half of the due share. They went to earn money in groups of men and women, between whom communication and mutual assistance were established.

Gypsy culture shocks civilized peoples, but despite this, many traditions have remained to this day.

Rules of life in the camp

Everyone who lived in the camp was forced to strictly observe the moral laws established in the collective. The punishment was exile for some time or forever. At the head of the camp was an authoritative leader, to whom everyone had to obey unquestioningly. He could also act as a judge if necessary. But as soon as the leader committed an unjust act, he was immediately deprived of his powers and kicked out of the camp.

In the camp, men occupied a leading position, i.e. a woman, regardless of age, had to obey her husband or father, respectively. Moreover, it was the duty of women to ensure that men and families were fed. The Roma flag can be seen in almost every camp. Some are surprised that nomads have their own symbols.

A man was given the opportunity to acquire several wives, who actually became his employees. It was profitable. Polygamy guaranteed not only comfort, but also, to some extent, material well-being. It’s not surprising, because the peculiarity of the gypsy family is that women fortune tellers and beggars provided their closest people with money.

Women's share in the camp

According to the Gypsy tradition, the father, when giving his daughter in marriage, paid the bride price. Girls of 15 or even 12 years old were suitable for marriage. A woman who became a mother for the first time wore a special headdress that confirmed the fact of her marriage.

From that moment on, she could go out into the streets and beg for alms. There are a large number of children in a gypsy family. Therefore, the woman-mother had to work very hard to clothe and feed them all. When she went to “work”, the children remained, at best, under the supervision of elderly grandmothers. Such living conditions of the younger generation explain why not all of them managed to survive.

Such gypsy customs are shocking. The question of how the children of this people grow up has been repeatedly raised, but traditions remain, and not everyone is ready to destroy them.

Origin and other features

Due to the prevalence of Roma people, their language contains dialects. Nomadic or settled gypsies have to master the language of the region in which they want to live. The historical relationship of the Gypsies with India is confirmed by the fact that their vocabulary contains almost thirty percent of Sanskrit (ancient Indo-Aryan) borrowings. The gypsy flag appeared relatively recently precisely for these reasons.

As for religion and beliefs, there is no constancy. Gypsies adapt quickly, i.e. adopt the rituals of the local population. In any case, they remain superstitious.

The environment also has a significant impact on diet and clothing style. In a crowd, a gypsy can be easily recognized by her long, wide and colorful skirt; traditionally she decorates her ears with earrings, her neck with necklaces, her wrists with bracelets, and her fingers with rings. And the music of the gypsies is the most recognizable and soulful.

National flag

In 1971, the World Gypsy Congress took place in the capital of England, which approved the national sign. The upper part of the cloth is painted blue, symbolizing heaven and spirituality. The lower half primarily symbolizes the surface of the earth, a green field; focuses on such character traits of gypsies as practicality and their inherent cheerfulness. The Roma flag carries a special meaning.

Multi-colored horizontal stripes have the same height. The boundary between them is the center line, which passes through the center of the red wheel with eight spokes - a symbol of the path. This element of the flag indicates that the gypsies prefer a nomadic lifestyle. The wheel is painted in a color associated with the blood of those gypsies who died during the Second World War. Initially, the gypsy flag had a golden wheel.

According to an optimistic explanation, the wheel has a festive red color, since representatives of this people love holidays very much. Gypsies, who belong to different ethnic groups, use different shades when depicting a wheel (chakra) on the flag.

The gypsies also have their own anthem. It can often be heard in camps near cities.

The content of the article

GYPSIES, or Roma, are a nomadic people, or more precisely, ethnic groups with common roots and language, whose origins can be traced to northwestern India. Today they live in many countries of the world. Gypsies are usually black-haired and dark-skinned, which is especially typical for populations living in countries close to India, although lighter skin is not typical for Gypsies at all. Despite their spread throughout the world, the Gypsies remain everywhere a distinct people, more or less adhering to their own customs, language and maintaining a social distance from the non-Gypsy peoples around whom they live.

Gypsies are known by a number of names. In the Middle Ages, when the Gypsies first appeared in Europe, they were mistakenly called Egyptians, because they were identified as Mohammedans - immigrants from Egypt. Gradually this word (Egyptians, Gyptians) was shortened, becoming "gypsy" ("gipsy" in English), "gitano" in Spanish and "giphtos" in Greek. Gypsies are also called "zigeuner" in German, "Gypsies" in Russian, "zingari" in Italian, which are variations of the Greek word athinganoi meaning "don't touch" - an offensive name for a religious group that formerly inhabited Asia Minor and shunned, like the Gypsies , contacts with strangers. But the Gypsies do not like these names, preferring the self-designation “Roma” (plural, Roma or Roma) from “Romani (person).”

Origin.

In the middle of the 18th century. European scientists managed to find evidence that the Gypsy language comes directly from the classical Indian language Sanskrit, which indicates the Indian origin of its speakers. Gray-anthropological data, in particular information on blood groups, also indicate an origin in India.

Much, however, remains unclear regarding the early history of the Roma. Although they speak one of the languages ​​of the Indian group, it is quite possible that they are actually descended from the Dravidian aborigines of this subcontinent, who eventually began to speak the language of the Aryan invaders who occupied their territory. In recent years, scholars in India itself have begun to academically study the Roma, and there is also a renewed interest in the subject in Western academic circles. The myths and misinformation surrounding the history and origins of this people are gradually dissipating. It became obvious, for example, that the Gypsies were nomads not because they possessed any nomadic instinct, but because widespread discriminatory legislation left them no choice but to continue their constant movement.

Migration and settlement.

New historical and linguistic evidence indicates that the migration of Gypsies from northwestern India occurred in the first quarter of the 11th century. as a result of a series of Islamic invasions led by Mohammed Ghaznavid. According to one hypothesis, the ancestors of the Gypsies (sometimes called "Dhomba" in the literature) organized themselves into military units called Rajputs to fight these invasions. Over the next two centuries, the Gypsies moved further and further west, stopping in Persia, Armenia and the territory of the Byzantine Empire (the modern language of the Gypsies contains many Persian and Armenian words and, especially, many words from Byzantine Greek), and reached southeastern Europe in the mid-13th century.

The movement to the Balkans was also caused by the spread of Islam, which was the cause of the migration of gypsies from India two centuries earlier.

Not the entire mass of Gypsies crossed the Bosphorus and entered Europe; one of its branches migrated eastward to the areas of today's Eastern Turkey and Armenia and became a separate and distinct sub-ethnic group known as “Lom”.

Another population widespread throughout the Middle East is the Dom, which was long thought to be part of the original Roma migration (from India, but later split off from the main population somewhere in Syria). While the "house" itself and their language are clearly of Indian origin, their ancestors apparently represented a separate and much earlier wave (possibly 5th century) of migration from India.

In the Byzantine Empire, the Gypsies acquired a deep knowledge of metalworking, as indicated by the metallurgical vocabulary in the language of the Gypsies of Greek and Armenian (non-Indian) origin. When the gypsies came to the Balkans and, in particular, to the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, this knowledge and skills ensured a steady demand for their services. This new artisan population of Gypsies proved so valuable in fact that in the early 1300s laws were passed making them the property of their employers, i.e. slaves. By 1500, approximately half of the Roma had managed to leave the Balkans for northern and western Europe. The resulting division between those who remained enslaved in Wallachia and Moldavia (today's Romania) for five and a half centuries and those who left is of fundamental importance in the history of the Gypsies and is referred to in literature as the First European Gypsy Diaspora.

It did not take long for the Balkan population to realize that the Gypsies were completely different from the Muslims they so feared. But the population in countries more distant from the Balkans, i.e. in France, Holland and Germany, for example, there was no previous opportunity to meet Muslims directly. When the gypsies arrived there with their exotic speech, appearance and clothing, they were associated with Muslims and were called “pagans”, “Turks”, “Tatars” and “Saracens”. The Gypsies were easy targets because they had no country to return to and no military, political or economic power to defend themselves. Over time, one country after another began to introduce repressive measures against them. In Western Europe, punishments for being a Gypsy included lashing, mutilation, deportation, galley slavery, and even, in some places, execution; in eastern Europe, gypsies remained slaves.

Political changes in 19th-century Europe, including the abolition of slavery for Gypsies, led to a sharp increase in their migration, marking the period of the Second European Gypsy Diaspora. A third diaspora emerged in the 1990s with the fall of communist regimes throughout eastern Europe.

Gypsies who were enslaved were either house slaves or slaves in the fields. These broad categories include many smaller occupational groups. Brought to work in the houses of landowners, the gypsies eventually lost their language of Indian origin and acquired Romanian, based on Latin. Now Romanian-speaking gypsies such as "boyash", "rudari" ("miners") and "ursari" ("bear guides") are found not only in Hungary and the Balkans, but also in Western Europe and in other regions of the Western Hemisphere.

Much more of the ancient traditions were preserved by groups of gypsies descended from field slaves. Kalderasha ("copper workers"), Lovara ("horse traders"), Churara ("sieve makers") and Močvaja (from the Serbian town of Močva) all speak closely related dialects of the Romani language. These languages ​​form a dialect group called Vlax or Vlach, characterized by a large influence of Romanian. By the end of the 19th century. Vlax-speaking gypsies undertook long journeys in search of places where they could settle. Countries in Western Europe were inhospitable due to centuries of anti-Gypsy legislation, so the main flow of migration was directed east to Russia, Ukraine and even China, or, through Greece and Turkey by sea to North and South America, South Africa and Australia. After World War I, the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in central Europe caused a mass exodus of Roma from these lands to western Europe and North America.

During World War II, the Nazis targeted the Gypsies for genocide, and the Gypsies were targeted for extermination along with the Jews by Reinhard Heydrich's notorious decree of July 31, 1941, to implement the "Final Solution." By 1945, almost 80% of all Gypsies in Europe had died.

Modern settlement.

Gypsies are dispersed throughout Europe and western Asia and are found in parts of Africa, North and South America and Australia. The exact number of Roma in each country, however, cannot be determined because censuses and immigration statistics rarely single them out, and centuries of persecution have taught Roma to be wary of identifying their ethnicity on census forms. There are between 9 and 12 million Roma in the world. This estimate is given by the International Union of Roma: about one million in North America, about the same in South America, and between 6 and 8 million in Europe, where Roma are concentrated mainly in Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and elsewhere in the Balkans.

In the thousand years or so since the exodus of the Gypsies from India, their way of life has become remarkably varied, although each group has retained to a greater or lesser extent elements of the basic culture of the Gypsies. Those that have settled in one place for a long time tend to acquire the national characteristics of the people who adopted them. In both Americas, a significant number of gypsies appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, although the gypsies have a legend that on Columbus's third voyage in 1498, there were gypsy sailors among the crew, and the first representatives of this people appeared there in pre-colonial times. It is documented that the first gypsies appeared in Latin America (on the Caribbean islands) in 1539, when persecution against this people began in Western Europe. They were gypsies from Spain and Portugal.

New waves of immigrants began arriving in the Americas after 1990.

Life of gypsies.

Despite their common linguistic, cultural and genetic heritage, Roma groups have become so diverse as a result of time and space that it would be inappropriate to attempt to paint a generalized portrait of them. The rest of the article focuses on the Vlax-speaking Gypsies, who are the largest and most geographically widespread population.

Social organization.

Taken as a whole, the life of the Gypsies is called “romanipen” or “romania” and is built on the basis of a complex system of family relationships. A group of related families forms a clan ("vista" clan), headed by a leader called a "baro" (he is not a king; the so-called kings and queens of the Gypsies are an invention of journalists). He is the recognized leader of his group and can control its movements and represent it in contacts with outsiders. On important matters he can consult with the elders of whist. Violations of the rules of morality and conduct may be dealt with by a special assembly of men called the kris. This court has jurisdiction over a wide range of violations, including material and matrimonial matters. Punishments may include fines or exclusion from the community, with the culprit being called merimeh or ritually unclean. Since contact with non-Gypsies is avoided as a matter of course, and since the Gypsy community itself must exclude anyone who is a Merime, the individual in this situation ends up in conditions of complete isolation. This idea of ​​ritual pollution, inherited from India and extended to the individual in his relationship to food, animals and other human beings, was the most general factor that contributed to the fact that the Gypsy populations remained separate from others and internally united.

Marriages with gojes (non-gypsies) are frowned upon; even the choice of marriage with other gypsies is limited. In the case of mixed marriages, children will be considered Gypsies only if their father is one. The family plays an active role in the formalities of marriage, which to the uninitiated may seem lengthy and complex. Firstly, there are long negotiations between parents, especially about the amount of the “darro” (dowry). This is the amount to be compensated for the earning potential of a "bori" or daughter-in-law who is transferred from her family and is included in the family of her new relatives by marriage. The wedding itself (“abiav”) is held in a hall rented for the occasion with the presence of many friends and relatives. The celebrations accompanying the wedding usually last three days. Once created, the marital union usually remains permanent, but if divorce is necessary, the consent of the “kris” may be required. As a rule, civil and ecclesiastical marriages are becoming increasingly common, even if they represent only the final phase of a traditional ritual.

The official religion did not have much influence on the way of life of the gypsies, although they were unable to escape the attempts of missionaries to convert them to their faith. They accepted, in most cases superficially, such religions as Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism of the countries in which they lived for some time. The exception is the surprising and very rapid adoption by some groups of the charismatic “new” Christianity of recent years.

The most famous religious holidays of Romani Catholics are the annual pilgrimages to Quebec to the Basilica of St. Anne (Sainte Anne de Beaupre) and to the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on the Mediterranean coast of France, where gypsies gather every time from everywhere 24 –May 25, to honor their patron saint Sarah (according to legend, an Egyptian).

Livelihood and recreation.

Gypsies prefer activities that provide them with minimal contact with the “gadje” and independence. Services catering to occasional needs and an ever-changing clientele fit well with the Gypsy lifestyle, which may require an individual to travel urgently to attend a wedding or funeral, or attend a 'kris' in another part of the country. The Gypsies are versatile, and the means by which they earn their living are numerous. But there are some main professions of gypsies - such as horse trading, metal working, fortune telling and, in some countries, picking vegetables or fruits. For joint economic ventures, Roma may also form a purely functional association “kumpania”, whose members do not necessarily belong to the same clan or even to the same dialect group. In self-employment, many Roma work as peddlers, especially in Europe. Some resell goods purchased at a lower price, others sell on the streets, noisily offering goods they themselves produced, although in the 20th century. a number of Roma crafts suffered from competition with mass-produced products. Women play their full role in earning their livelihood. They are the ones who carry baskets with produced goods from door to door and do fortune telling.

Although many of the names of the various groups of Gypsies are based on the occupations in which they were engaged during the period of slavery, they can no longer serve as a reliable guide to the activities of specific families. In Mexico, for example, coppersmiths are now much more likely to be operators of mobile film installations than metal workers. For many coppersmiths in the United States, the main source of income is the fortune telling salon ("office"), which may be located in the front of the fortune teller's house or in the front of the store.

Gypsies are also known to be great entertainers, especially as musicians and dancers (several famous actors, including Charles Chaplin, talk about their ancestors being Gypsies). In Hungary and Romania in particular, gypsy orchestras with their virtuoso violinists and dulcimer players have created their own style, although much of what audiences hear is, in fact, European music with a gypsy interpretation. There is another, very special type of music - the original music of the Gypsies, which is a highly rhythmic sequence of tones in which few or no instruments are used and the dominant sound is often the sound of clapping hands. Research has shown that much of the Central European classical musical tradition and the works of composers such as Liszt, Bartok, Dvorak, Verdi and Brahms are marked by significant Romani influence. The same has been demonstrated by research regarding the Jewish music klezmer, which is characterized by unusual scales and lively rhythms.

In Andalusia, in southern Spain, according to one study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, gypsies, along with Moroccans, created the tradition of flamenco as a covert way of expressing anger towards the repressive Spanish regime. From Andalusia, the style spread through the Iberian Peninsula and then into Spanish-speaking America until flamenco-style song, dance, and guitar playing became an accepted form of popular entertainment. Since the late 1970s, the music of the six-guitar Gipsy Kings has propelled modern flamenco-based music into the pop charts, while the jazz guitar technique of the late Django Reinhardt ) (he was a gypsy) experienced a revival thanks to his great-nephew Bireli Lagrene.

Like all peoples with a developed oral tradition, gypsy storytelling reaches the level of art. Over the course of many generations, they expanded their folklore, selecting and adding to it folk tales from the countries in which they settled. In exchange, they enriched the folklore of these nations with oral histories acquired during past migrations.

Due to strict restrictions on communication with outsiders, the gypsies spent a lot of their free time in each other's company. Many of them believe that the negative consequences of being among the Gadje can only be compensated by the time they spend among their own at community ritual events, such as christenings, weddings, etc.

Food, clothing and shelter.

The eating habits of Western European gypsy groups reflect the influence of their nomadic lifestyle. Soups and stews, which can be cooked in one pot or cauldron, as well as fish and game meat occupy a significant place in their cuisine. The diet of sedentary Eastern European gypsies is characterized by the use of a large amount of spices, especially hot peppers. Among all groups of gypsies, food preparation is strictly determined by the observance of various taboos of relative cleanliness. The same cultural considerations govern issues of clothing. In Gypsy culture, the lower part of the body is considered unclean and shameful, and women's legs, for example, are covered with long skirts. Similarly, a married woman should tie a scarf around her head. Traditionally, acquired valuables are turned into jewelry or gold coins, and the latter are sometimes worn on clothing as buttons. Since the head is considered the most important part of the body, many men draw attention to it by wearing wide hats and large mustaches, while women love large earrings.

Mobile homes are of great importance for those families whose livelihoods require them to be constantly on the move. There are still large numbers of Gypsy families, especially in the Balkans, who travel in light open carts drawn by horses or donkeys and sleep in traditionally constructed tents made of canvas or woolen blankets. The relatively recent appearance of the gypsy cart, decorated with intricate carvings, complements rather than replaces the tent. Together with the less picturesque horse-drawn carriage, this residential carriage is quickly falling into disuse in favor of the motorized trailer. Some of the gypsies with trucks or cars with trailers adhere closely to the old habits of the cart people, while others have fully embraced such modern conveniences as bottled cooking gas and electricity.

Modern gypsy population.

Various groups of Roma in Europe were almost completely destroyed by the fires of the Holocaust, and it was not until more than four decades later that their national movement began to gain strength. For the Roma, the concept of “nationalism” does not mean the creation of a real nation-state, but it implies the acquisition of recognition by humanity of the fact that the Roma are a separate, non-territorial nation of people with their own history, language and culture.

The fact that Roma live throughout Europe but do not have a country of their own has led to enormous problems following the fall of Eastern European communist regimes and the resurgence of ethnic nationalism there. Like those gypsies who first came to Europe seven and a half centuries ago, European gypsies of the 20th century. are increasingly perceived as very different from traditional European peoples and a nuisance. To combat these prejudices, the Roma organized themselves into several political, social and cultural groups with the goal of developing ideals of self-determination. The International Roma Union has been a permanent member of the UN Council for Economic and Social Development since 1979; By the end of the 1980s, it had gained representation in the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and UNESCO, and in 1990 the formation of the European Roma Parliament began. By the beginning of the 1990s, a large number of Roma professionals had already appeared, such as journalists and political activists, educators, and politicians. Ties were forged with the ancestral homeland of India - since the mid-1970s, the Indian Institute of Romani Studies has existed in Chandigarh. Roma organizations focused their work on combating racism and stereotyping in the media, and seeking reparations for the war crimes that led to the deaths of Roma in the Holocaust. In addition, the issues of standardizing the Roma language for international use and compiling a twenty-volume encyclopedia in this language were resolved. Gradually, the literary image of “nomadic gypsies” is replaced by the image of a people ready and able to take their place in today’s heterogeneous society.

The main source of information on all aspects of Gypsy history, language and lifestyle is the Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society, published from 1888 to the present.