GYPSY WHAT?

Many of you ask, what is a Gypsy? 

Typical old style Gypsy travel caravan in the 19th Century

Gypsy (as taken from Wikipedia)

The Romani are an ethnic group living mostly in Europe, United States, Brazil and the UK who trace their origins to the Indian Subcontinent. Romani are widely known in the English-speaking world by the exonym as Gypsy.

BACKGROUND

Linguistic and genetic evidence indicates the Romanies originated from the Indian subcontinent, emigrating from India towards the northwest no earlier than the 11th Century.

For a variety of reasons, many Romanies choose not to register their ethnic identity in official censuses. There are an estimated four million Romani people in Europe (as of 2002), although some high estimates by Romani organizations give numbers as high as 14 million.

'GYPSY' AS A TERM

Word 'gypsy' is considered derogatory by many members of the Roma community because of negative and stereotypical associations with the term. In North America, the word gypsy is commonly used as a reference to lifestyle or fashion, and not to the Romani ethnicity.

CONFLICTS 

The persecution of the Romanies reached a peak during World War II in the Porajmos, the genocide perpetrated by the Nazis during the Holocaust. In 1935, the Nuremberg laws striped the Romani people living in Nazi Germany of their citizenship, after which they were subjected to violence, imprisonment in concentration camps and later genocide in extermination camps. Because no accurate pre-war census figures exist for the Romanies, it is impossible to accurately assess the actual number of victims. In Communist Eastern Europe, Romanies experienced assimilation schemes and restrictions on cultural freedom. Czechoslovakia carried out a policy of sterilization of Romani women, starting in 1973.

Gypsies awaiting to be prosecuted, 1930's.
Location: unknown

OUR SUMMARY

Some people believe to this day gypsies to be travelers in mobile homes/caravans moving from place to place and earning money by performing or stealing. This, of course is a generalization. A stereotype can be made of ANY culture. On International Roma Day, which falls on April 8th, gypsies will have little to celebrate. Cultural tensions and, for some, deplorable living conditions. For others, the future is bright with strong tight communities and many successful famous musicians across the world.

OUR BLOG

Our blog mainly concentrates on the term 'gypsy' overall - noting Gypsy history and culture as well as modern day nomadic western view of ones' wandering soul. It is also interesting to see how one has an influence on another. We appreciate your letters educating us on these relevant subjects and welcome your criticism but please remember - this is only a blog, let's not make a social media war!

Any questions or info please write us at holla@ourgypsysouls.com