I received by mail the following URL about a Gypsy folklore group: http://english.svenko.net/ You can find lots of photos of pretty girls dancing barefoot in colored dress. Somtimes you can see that their soles are not clean but very tough. Gypsies are known for the tradition that women and children go barefoot most of their time. Feel good, live unshod, Lorenz
This may be so, but it still looks to me like whoever owns the site is trying to attract Western foot fetishists. The tags on the photos refer pointedly to "Bohemiennes a pieds nus" and "Barfuss Zigeunerin." Cute paws, though, so who am I to complain?
As a Roma man, I agree barefoot is very common with gypsy women. However aside from the glamour net photos the men too are often barefoot particularly in summer. Commonly barefoot is a choice when its warmer weather, much the same as when most folk go to their wardrobe and choose sandals rather than boots. I remember my mother when I was little telling me not to wear out my new shoes in summer it was too warm and she did'nt want me to ruin them. My shoes were for school and church the rest of the time she made me go barefoot! Most of the other gypsy kids were the same, only the rich kids had more than one pair of shoes!
Uo to around 1970, it was a tradition of Bavarian farmers to make their children go barefoot in the months without "R", i.e. May to August. The mayor of our town, who is now about 60, told me that he and his companions went barefoot to school and put on shoes only for church. Some older people state that their shoes were locked away by May 1st. To avoid discussion, Bavarian children were told that going barefoot is good for health (what is true in my opinion). Nowadays they are at least allowed to bare their feet on warm days; and acceptance of barefoot lifestyle is still no problem in Bavaria.
very cool! What a great way to be more in touch with Mother Earth and all...than locked away in a shoe... peace Delfynasa
I too have heard of this practice. The child comes home on the last day of school, their shoes and socks were confiscated and given back to them only for church. This continued until the start of the new school year. I don't think parents could get away with that nowadays, there would be a "whole lotta revoltin' go'in on". Here in the states, someone might call the CPS on the parents (Child Protective Services). Too much paranoia about bare feet these days. Other than that, a good idea though.
too true! Even during the sixties and into the seventies, people would give my mom crap for putting us in little moccassins instead of 'hard' shoes which back then better for kids feet! heheh morons! Baby bro wore them most and became a track star! So much for screwing up his feet! peace Delfynasa
If my shoes and socks got confiscated in May I would have been in heaven. Speaking of which, I would have argued for barefeet in church too.
Thanks Dr. Lorenz This is a wonderful website, with pics of the Russian artist and academic Nicolay Bessonov. It includes good articles on history, costume and the uses of the Romani culture and people. Thanks for sharing!
You are supposed to go barefoot in church as it is Holy ground - "and the Lord said unto Moses, put off the shoes from thy feet, thou art on Holy ground".
gypsy women are some tough barefooters. i see them march on scorching pavements, frozen mud, gravel, no problems. never seen a barefoot gypsy man though.
