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Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc.
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The word "Gypsy" (or "Rom") evokes a myriad of images in the minds of most people – tents pitched under the stars, painted caravans, fires blazing, barefoot children, dark-skinned men and women in colorful dress, complete with gold jewelry and voluminous skirts. It also evokes images of dirt, dishonesty, sorcery, and witchcraft. Which of these images is based on reality? Just who are the Roma? Where do they come from? How do they live?
There are many folk tales and legends throughout the world regarding Romani origin. In a story told in Macedonia, a Rom was asked to make the nails for the cross to be used in the crucifixion of Christ. He complied as best he could, but did not have time to complete the fourth nail befor the "soldiers" returned. After they left, he finished forging it and attempted to cool it. No matter what he did, the nail remained burning hot. In fright, the Rom fled, but the nail followed him each time he ran. To this day, when ever the nail appears, the Roma run away.
"Gypsyologists" have traced the origin of the Roma to Northern India and fix the beginning of their migrations at around 1000 CE.
One of the links between present-day Roma and their supposed ancestors in India is language. The basic Romani tongue is Romanes (or Romani) – a derivative of a language of India closely related to Sanskrit. There is no known written form of Romanes – only the spoken form is known. Overlaid on this basic tongue are words and phrases picked up by the Roma during their migrations – many Armenian, Turkish, and Greek words pepper the language.
The Roma are also linked to India by occupation or trade. The art of metal smithing is thought to have originated in India. There the craft was relegated to those on the fringe of society – outcasts and nomads. In present-day India, there are several castes of metal workers. These include the Tathers, the Kami (metal workers of Nepal), the Kasor (copper smelters and metal workers of Northern India), and the Lohar. Other occupations favored by today's Roma can also be traced to the castes of India. Included in these are the Hindi Jost (beggars, charlatans, and thieves), the Korva (fortune tellers and charlatans in Tamil), the Nat (nomadic singers, dancers, and acrobats), and the Kanjar (caste of Roma and mat makers in north and central India). Other Romani trades Roma trades include horse trading and bear leading.
Some scholars now divide the Roma into three main groups:1) Kalderash – from the Balkans and Central Europe. These are primarily metal smiths. This group includes the Lovari, who lived for a long time in Hungary, the Luri, the Tachurari, the Turco-Americans, and the Boyas of Romania, who excelled in animal training.
2) Gitanos – from south France, Spain, Portugal, and north Africa.
3) Manush or Sinti – includes Vlasikanis (France), Gaygikanis (Germany), and Piedmontesi (Italy).
Each of these groups has developed differently, adapting to the countries in which they found themselves. They changed their external behaviors to better "fit in" to different environments. But, in typical Romani manner, they retained all that made them Roma – the language, the laws, and the culture have remained Roma to this day.
Bibliography
Clebert, Jean Paul. The Gypsies
Groper, Rena C. Gypsies in the City; Culture Patterns and Survival," Darwin Press, Princeton, NJ. 1975.
Gypsy Lore Society.
Printed in Folk Dance Scene, January 1987