The plight of the Romanies is also a major concern of the childrens rights organization UNICEF, which is currently working to increase literacy among Romani children in Europe through home-visitation programs that connect new parents with child education and social services. Any Christian partial to the classical musicof Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Haydn, or Brahms, or any Christian awed by the beauty and rhythm of flamencocan thank the Romani, whose acclaimed musical heritage heavily influenced these musical styles. If there are 13 people in a room at one time, then the one that sits closest to a mirror will die. The customs and rituals for engagements and marriages described here are traditional and vary for the many Roma tribes around the world. While the entire world is scared of Friday the 13th, in Romania its actually Tuesday the 13th that is the worst of the worse (although Friday is gaining grounds too!). Romani folklore encompasses the folktales, myths, oral traditions, and legends of the Romani people. The Romani people are a distinct ethnic and cultural group of peoples living all across the globe, who share a family of languages and sometimes a traditional nomadic mode of life. And, feel free to share some interesting superstitions from your own country. Then theres all the superstitions about drafts. A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. Crying at your wedding brings good luck. 20 Superstitions Only Romanians Will Understand. ), 25. . Because of the innate human drive to be a part of something, we are not so different after all. If your palm is itching, you will either receive money or you will get beaten. 14. Never get married in May, or else your marriage will be blown away like the leaves of the trees. They live in many countries of Europe and Asia, and North Africa, North and South America and Australia. Therefore, you can attract not only diseases, but unfortunate events such as broken bones to yourself by how you think or interact with other individuals. During spring, if you go to a party, take a sip of water. A pregnant woman should never tie a scarf on her neck, or the baby will be born with the umbilical cord around his neck. 21. This will actually mean that they will catch nothing. 62. And considering the number of traditions that are still present in Romanians' everyday lives, this may not be such a clich. If youve lost something important, put a gall upside down on the window sill, and you will find it. Our strict way to life even extends to our thoughts. If you stay in the corner of the table, you will never get married. Far too many Gypsies and Travellers are in prison, as many as five per cent of the population according to Government research. An old Romanian proverb says: Do not speak badly of the Devil because you cannot know to whom you will belong . 2. 12. 20. If a person counts their money in groups of four, they will have good luck; if they count it in groups of three, they will have bad luck. Also, when you sit at the table, make sure you dont sit on the corner as you will never get married. I did know my Hungarian great-grandmother, who did this all the time. If you drop an umbrella on the floor, then there will be a murder in that house. An important superstition surrounds the flower bouquets (So make sure to keep this in mind if you offer flowers to a Romanian woman!). We believe that some people can be so marime that just by spending time with them, you can become marime by association, ; this is another reason why you will not be accepted into a group of Romany individuals, is to live in constant fear of the outside world. They are no longer nomadic. A week later, my family and I attended a crowded festival in a medieval Spanish town and were warned by locals to watch out for the gypsies, described as thieves, beggars, and swindlers who rig the festival games., After my vacation, I returned to work and mentioned this all to a co-worker. Never wish Good luck to a fisherman. The Roma are not to be confused with Romanians or with the Romans, both of which are distinct ethnic groups from the Roma. Once you get out of the house, never look back, or else your entire day will go wrong. I really appreciate your comment! Lisa Boswell is an award-winning divination teacher who currently resides in Scotland. . Many Roma also follow traditional Romani customs. Avoiding dirtiness impacts how we, Because certain conditions are marime, those who suffer from these conditions are given special treatment. Contrary to what Instagram hashtags would have you believe, traveling as a Romany person is highly stressful, because we must still observe our laws, even if they are inconvenient. For example, if a Gypsy is having trouble finding work or obtaining money, they might believe that by saving their money instead of spending it, the situation will change for the better. 33. " Roma " is the word (ethnonym) that the Roma use to describe themselves: it is the term for the members of that specific people and it is Romani for " man ". Believe it or not, superstitions are still very present in our lives here in Romania. This is what happens when you are taught some things since you are young: you dont want to risk it, although deep inside you know that its nothing but nonsense. 38. You mustn't cut a child's hair until they reach their second birthday . If the cat is washing on the threshold, you will be visited by a priest. If you break a mirror you will be the happy beneficiary of 7 years of bad luck. Im sorry about it now. Gypsies have inhabited all continents except Antarctica. They migrated widely, particularly to Europe, while other groups stayed and became sedentary. In fact, for a Romany person, using the kitchen items of marime individuals is the fastest route to becoming marime like them. The U.S. has played a role in discrimination against Romanies in the past, as some states have on their books repealed lawsthat limited where Romanies could rent property, where they could entertain, and what goods they could sell. Or if your rheumatism kicks in, the weather is going to change. more information Accept. Gypsies also do not eat any food made with yeast on Easter Sunday, because this is a custom that was passed down to them from their ancestors. Required fields are marked *. Some of this superstitions are common in my country too (I remember old people saying to me not to play with fire before going to sleep because I could pee in bed) Its important to note that many of the nations criticized for discriminating against the Romani are largely Christian nations, i.e. But the stigma surrounding the Roma people works both for and against the witches. 5. This is because they believe it will bring them bad luck. For example, if you only wear one shoe or slipper, then somebody in your family will pass away. In many Eastern European cultures, it is believed that rain on ones wedding day foretells good luck. Im glad you mentioned not breaking things willy-nilly to break away the bad luck. If you spill your coffee you will receive money I live in New York City, and I spill my coffee almost every morning If I had 1USD for every time I spilled my coffee in the last few years, I think I would be able to retire at my current ripe old age of 25. Why Are Romanians Frowned Upon in Europe? Further, some Romani groups still follow the practice of arranged marriages, teen marriage, and "bride prices"paid by the grooms family to the brides family. Romany people avoid talking badly about ill people because we believe that illnesses can be attracted to us by the power of the mind. He explained that his grandfather, who was a Hungarian/ Russian gypsy told him that if a knife was near you ( especially true if it was pointed towards you) the devil would come and push the knife at you. One of my greatest dreams is to visit Romania someday. The anonymous source refers to these individuals as "career gypsies." . The Romani people have a strong sense of community, which is based on the belief that the Romani people are descended from a single family. Gypsy History and Folklore. Romani funeral traditions are characterized by abundance. If your left hand is itching, you will spend some money. It refers to the Romani people, or Roma.1 These people have a peculiar belief system described below.2 "Gypsy" also refers to a few ethni- Calling it devil can help dilute any negative effects it may have. It is a common misconception that Romany people natur, psy is not the same as being a Traveller. If youre moving to a new house and dont bring with you the old broom, you will only have bad luck. For example, because rats are marime, we call them things, the things or long things. These nomadic Roma (gypsies) traveled in horse-drawn, brightly-colored wagons and sought jobs conducive to a transient lifestyle. When you sew a cloth while wearing it, you need to keep a small piece of thread in your mouth, or else you will sew your mind. Despite the contemporary lifestyle, there are so many Romanian traditions that managed to successfully endure the test of time. Is Romania a LGBTQ+ Friendly Country? 8 Pictures. Genetic research has shown that the Roma descend from a single group of people who left northwestern India 1,500 years ago. It is wise to pitch a tent near a . Hello Anoop, 54. If you have a distant relative who is a Gypsy, this does not mean we would consider you to be one too. 52. Konstantin Makovsky. Gypsies believe that, if a child is born on the seventh day after Christmas and baptized before sunset of his or her birthday then he or she will be lucky for seven years. They could at least be crafty but they aren't. No matter what others say about it, I will always love it. Irish Travellers and people who work on fairgrounds are not Gypsies. I loved these few superstitions from above: 18. Ive since learned the plant is Lunaria. In fact, one Gypsy may consider another Gypsy not to actually be a Gypsy if they do not follow our, set rules and customs. Many Romani Gypsies in the real Peaky Blinders came from an area known as The Black Patch (near modern-day Smethwick). Let me know if you like them, hate them, or if you find them weird, scary, or stupid. 61. Gypsies believe that bad luck can be brought on by anything from a black cat to the sound of an owl hooting. The image of the Gypsy conjures up ideas of a carefree people, who live life without rules and restrictions. We can be belittled, ostracized and excommunicated for something as little as dropping a cloth. Gypsies are a group of nomadic people who typically travel from place to place with their families. 47. But you can easily undo the damage if you walk three steps backward. One that goes for both claims that if you dont eat all the food on your plate, you will marry an ugly person. Never pass a needle from your hand to another persons hand, because that means you two will get in a fight. In 2010, around 205,000 Gypsies lived in the Russian Federation and that number has been growing because of a high birth rate. In fact, they are the second-largest ethnic group in the country after the Hungarians. Dolores Smyth writes on faith and family. Ive heard so many strange sayings in Romania, let alone the Gypsy folklore, which is extremely colorful and full of magic. If you brag about a bad event not happening. This article is only concerning the 'Romany Gypsy' and their Traditions and Customs. God bless you for sharing these! And if you ever happen to see a rat, make sure you dont call it by its proper name! The Romani people have a strong sense of family, but also believe in the importance of respecting other families as well. 30. Throughout their history, the Roma have been comprised of many different groups of people, absorbing . Not Gypsies live life without rules and restrictions they are the second-largest ethnic group in country. Here in Romania, let alone the Gypsy folklore, which is extremely colorful and full magic! 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