I'm looking for good information on Romani (gypsy- but apparently, the word gyspy has become politically incorrect because it's associated with some cruel stereotypes) culture, religion, etc etc. The problem is, when I look online, I seem to have trouble finding trust-worthy information. I'm interested in this culture because aspects of it strike me as romantic, but I'd like accurate information, too. Religioustolerence.org helped me some what, but their information is very generic. Does anyone know of a good source of information on this culture.
I would try researching Eastern European nations, espeically Hungary, where a lot of ethnic gypsies come from. However, most Hungarians are Catholic, I don't know if the gypsies would be or not, I'll try and find some stuff for you though!!!!
Hi! I was (and still am) into that romani thing, i eventually relate to them by now. Talking about religion, most of them are catholic (about 90%).Over here in Germany, they are, too, doing huge pilgrimages to the cities of Kevelaer, Heroldsbach and Altötting, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared. Here, actualy most of them belong to the sinti gypsies. The romani are especially spread over whole eastern europe, but outside europe, they all are called Romani, disregarding their original tribes. In eastern Europe, they mostly are eastern orthodox. Following the catholic religion, there are many traditions they fallow, like the pilgrimage to Saintes Maries de La Mer, France. In a cathedral, they honor their patron saint, St. Sarah. However, as Catholics, they do not follow that religion like most other C's do, e.g. they practise their own rituals and usually only go to church for baptism, marriage, funeral etc. i could tell you much more, but that'd take some time *g* Greetz!!
Thanks for the info. I've actually found a book in the school library written by a guy who used to live with them in the 60s. I read somewhere else that there was a movement in the late 70s to form Christian Romani churches and most of them are Christians but they combine Christian teachings with a lot of the classic Romani rituals. Or something like that.
Gypsies were originally from India, hence they were Hindus. They still keep many of the old traditions but are now christians.
Read the book "gypsies" by jan yoors. he lived with the gypsies for 12 years before the second world war. His book explains pretty much everything. Also try "Bury Me standing" by isabel fonesca. It is more recent. She lived with the roma in albania for a year.
well, "we borrow the earth" by Lee was written by an actual romani chovihano(gypsy shaman) in britain.... (say's with an assumed air of superiority...):H @
