It may also bring good fortune to the family of the bride. Make sure you never beat a dog or any other animal if you are pregnant, unless you enjoy the idea of having a very hairy baby. 1. 9. Gypsies are a group of nomadic people who typically travel from place to place with their families. 7. 18. Otherwise, you will have to eat them boiled in your afterlife. Thank you very much, Christian. In reality, being a real Romany Gypsy is not a life of lackadaisical sea-shore living. Even if your little guy isn't born with a set of chompers, Danior is still a cool Romani name for you to "sink your teeth" into. Today, the Romani are a diverse people living in every inhabited continent in the world. An important superstition surrounds the flower bouquets (So make sure to keep this in mind if you offer flowers to a Romanian woman!). I was in Romania for about 3 years.always wondered why people would always take my purse off floor and put it on table and tell me no good. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I consent to receive email updates from Travel Away. It is a common occurrence for non-Gypsies to hashtag #gypsy or #gypsy life while spending a lazy day at the beach, hair out, not a worry in the world. 29. Remembering our Family, New Forest . If you spend time in their environment, touch their stuff and use their cutlery, you too will become marime. Depending on the superstition, one might spend or save their money in order to change their luck for better or worse. Have you ever heard of this? If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn, you will not be cold all winter. Gypsy is also used as a description for a nomadic or "free-spirited . This page links together resources at sacred-texts about the folklore of the Roma people. 44. The U.S. has played a role in discrimination against Romanies in the past, as some states have on their books repealed lawsthat limited where Romanies could rent property, where they could entertain, and what goods they could sell. However, we do have generalised categories of marime things. Writer and content creator for PA, specializing in phenomena that is sometimes beyond normal scientific understanding. If you know any other funny (or not) Romanian superstitions, dont hesitate to let us all know by sharing a comment below. At the same time, if you want to have a good year, you must have a lot of money in your pocket on New Years Eve. lol I love Romania! Published March 26, 2017 | By shirleytwofeathers. 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. Never make payments on a Monday, or else you will give money all week. The Romas (gypsies) traveling culture has historically hindered education. 37. 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) 62. (Good way to convince the kids to eat all their food, eh?). 1867, oil painting.Russian. I will agree with Angela not all gypsies are Roma or Romani. If you give away knife you will have bad luck. On your wedding night, dont change your slippers, or you will change your man. This Is the Fairy Tale Clay Castle in Romania [Everything You Must Know]. Avoiding dirtiness impacts how we act, think and speak. Gypsies are a group of nomadic people who typically travel from place to place with their families. 5. Couples marry young - girls at around 16 or 17, and boys between 18 and 19. Copyright Romania Experience 2013 - 2023. However, this is only valid if you unintentionally break the glass so you cant simply just break a plate anytime you feel like getting rid of a bad luck spell. Eating chicken daily will turn you into a pecker. Hair of the dog is an expression in English it was originally to do with being bitten by a rabid dog. They do have a Patron Saint, Sara who was queen of a Gypsy tribe in France. dresses and stress free living; we must think, act and speak like Gypsies. Its not good to spill salt on the table, either because you will get into a fight with somebody you know. Over the centuries, they moved westward into . My mission is to help guide people seeking answers in a positive and enlightening way. If a raven is near a sick person, then there is no chance of recovery for that person. Regarding keeping windows open thats definitely a belief here. 27. 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. Traditionally, Gypsy culture is steeped in superstition, holding to belief in charms, amulets, curses, bad luck, and ghosts. You are not allowed to take out the trash on the 1st of January, because that will bring bad luck. Our strict way to life even extends to our thoughts. They do this to help pay for the dead persons way into heaven. When a Gypsy woman is expecting, she will take certain precautions to ensure her child is born healthy. If your left hand is itching, you will spend some money. If you bite your tongue while eating, its because youve recently told a lie. 34. Even as adults, myself and my sisters are warned by our family not to accept food or drink from people who are not related to us, just in case they do not follow our rules or customs such as how we wash dishes. In Romania, the customs and superstitions surrounding death stem from a blend of beliefs with preserved, pre-Christian elements as well as more current and predominantly Orthodox Christian beliefs. Or if your rheumatism kicks in, the weather is going to change. (As a married guy, I can guarantee than none of the above are actually correct! The image of the Gypsy conjures up ideas of a carefree people, who live life without rules and restrictions. Im not Romanian, but I feel Romania is a part of my heart. Some believe that these legal restrictions placed on the Roma necessitated the continuation of their itinerant lifestyle, forcing Romanies to live on the perimeters of settled society for centuries. It is likely from. Eating the burned parts of bread is good for your lungs and your eyes. If it rains at your wedding, it means you will have a happy marriage. If my grandmother had an illness and then I caught it, she would believe I got ill because I didnt give her enough sympathy. Souls go to heaven, a floral paradise, and those who "don't have God" go to a fiery hell. apparently, it results in something terrible!? The reason for this belief stems from the idea that if you give a gypsy your bottle, they will know where to find you and steal from you. We believe that observing our laws is what distinguishes us from the. Gypsy History and Folklore. For example, because rats are marime, we call them things, the things or long things. In fact, one Gypsy may consider another Gypsy not to actually be a Gypsy if they do not follow our rituals. I am Brandon. 61. If you ever wondered why you hiccup, the Romanians have the answer for you: it happens because somebody you know is gossiping about you! 29. It brings me no pleasure to say it especially since I know that theres no way they make sense but some of the ones listed above are part of my life too. Fortunately, tears of joy are accepted. 14. Its also considered bad luck to burn bread or flour on Sundays as they are sacred days of rest. The beginning of the 2000s. Have you heard of this one at all or have any likely origins from your research? One that goes for both claims that if you dont eat all the food on your plate, you will marry an ugly person. A funeral is another special time for Gypsies. I have a fellow Romanian who is very superstitious. They migrated widely, particularly to Europe. Dressing themselves in bright clothing and practicing fortunetelling, the Roma quickly attracted the ire of the Roman Catholic Church, but also the allure of the forbidden. Dear Meeroona, First of all I want to say I loved reading all these superstitions. 52. If you bite your tongue, its not your fault. If you happen to find a horseshoe, youre very lucky and many good things will happen. 34. Never get out of a house on another door except for the one you entered, as it will bring bad luck. If you spill water on the floor, never wash it with your foot. A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. 28. Ficowski, Jerzy; Borski, Lucia Merecka; Mikolaycak, Charles. 10. Charles Leland, an expert in folklore, wrote about Gypsy ways in the late 1800s. ), rodents, reptiles or anything which touches the ground are all marime. If you sing at the table, you will marry a drunk. Contrary to popular belief, Romany life is anything but carefree. All Roma are expected to marry. Never give the last cigarette from your pack because this means giving away your wife. Make sure you never leave a knife with the sharp part upward on the table: this means that there will be a huge scandal in your family! . Gypsy and Traveler Groups in the United States. But, we are not interested in that. 55. Dreaming About Dead Relatives Spiritual Significance, Interpretation & Meaning, White Moths & The Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism, What It Means When Your Feet Itch Spiritual & Superstitions, Itchy nose meaning Superstition or Omen, The Boondock Saints Prayer Everything You Need to Know. A gypsy mustve come in the night and stolen our best hen. I was in rural Spain in 2002 when I overheard an elderly couple discussing a broken latch on their chicken coop door and a missing hen. Traditional Romani and Gypsy culture upholds family, customs, and self-governance. 46. When you hear the sound of a turtle-dove, stop, turn around three times, remove your left shoe, and inside you will find a hair just like the hair of your chosen one. If you have a distant relative who is a Gypsy, this does not mean we would consider you to be one too. There are many superstitions that gypsies hold dear to their hearts. Never beat animals during your pregnancy, or your baby will be born very hairy. Cale: Spanish Gypsies, or Gitanos, are found primarily in the metropolitan centers of the East and West coasts. To break the curse, gypsies will spit three times and then turn around. Her work has appeared in numerous print and online publications. However, lots of Roma people do not declare themselves as being of . Irish Travellers and people who work on fairgrounds are not Gypsies. April 06, 2011 8:00 PM. Less than 20 years after my trip to Spain and my first exposure to the negative stereotypes about Romanies, Spainis now regarded as a country that is successfully implementing programs to help empower and integrate its Romani population. Reading these superstitions just reminded me of him. You really must love your country and now Im also slowing falling for it :p, Btw, I have to ask! If 13 people sit at a table, one of them will surely die before the end of the year. I was told not to boil eggs at night or the devil will come or not shaving or getting haircuts on Mondays, dont stir drinks with a knife and dont go out with wet hair or a current of wind will make you sick. Origin: Romani. They could at least be crafty but they aren't. 39. Worshipers look to the Romanian Orthodox church . There are various ways to cure the Evil Eye in Romania. If a bee gets inside your house, you will soon have a guest. Genetic research has shown that the Roma descend from a single group of people who left northwestern India 1,500 years ago. He was very cute. These bohemian travelers were the inspiration for Iain McKell's stunning photographic journey "The New Gypsies," which explores the many journeys, both physical and emotional, of the modern-day traveler. A baby keeps its luck in the grimy lines of its hands. And there are plenty more Romanian superstitions. You were supposed to put a hair from the dog in the wound to cure it. Furrowing his brows, he insisted that I mustve misunderstood what the locals had said because gypsies arent real.. If you kill the bee, then the visit will be an unpleasant one and bad luck will haunt you all day. I was trying to learn more about Romania and I stumbled upon your thread. History of the Gypsy/Roma . Gypsies also believe that they should not wash their hair on Easter Sunday, as this will bring them bad luck. I love the one about keeping thread in your mouth while you sew. Count 100 white horses and you will marry the first unmarried man youll meet. One of the most prominent beliefs is that they dont share their bottle with anyone, and this includes other gypsies. 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. In English these people are often called Gypsies. But yes, keeping windows open and drafts will give you a cold, ear ache, tooth ache, headache its just bad, no matter if its 35 degrees Celsius outside or 10. The Romani are one of the most misunderstood and mythologized peoples on our planet, and it's been that way for centuries. I really appreciate your comment! If you share your bottle of juice, water or any other beverage with another person, make sure you are the one who takes the last sip otherwise the other person will steal your loved one. Its not good to give animals for free because you will carry them on your back on the other side. 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. Despite settling down, the Roma remain one of Europes most disadvantaged ethnic groups, with 80% of Romanies living below the poverty line as of 2016. Through her website Divination & Fortune-Telling, she teaches over 60,000 monthly readers how they can perform, improve and promote their Tarot, Lenormand and dream interpretation skills. Gypsies have inhabited all continents except Antarctica. Its not good to play with matches (or fire) either. If the cat is washing on the threshold, you will be visited by a priest. Another common misconception is the belief that Gypsies openly accept anyone into their networks; this is false. Never leave your purse on the floor, or else you will lose money. Multamesc, gratulos, thank you so much! The Romani language is. I guess in this way, we are similar. There are numerous Romani sub-groups and communities that speak different dialects of Romani and practice different traditions. The Roma culture has a rich oral tradition, with an emphasis on family. The term Gypsy derives from Egyptian, reflecting a mistaken assumption of the origins of the people who refer to themselves as the Roma. 2. Although many are, not all Romany Gypsies nomadic; not all live in trailers, tents or wagons. This is one of the biggest events of a Romanian wedding: it's usually close friends who "kidnap" the bride and take her to a club or restaurant to party a little bit. The Gypsies tend to mix pagan religion with Christian . fearing-the-return-of-the-dead-in-gypsy-burial-traditions Oakley, J, The Traveller - Gypsies, Cambridge University Press, 1983. Gypsy families are often quite large, with many children and extended family members living together in one home. One such belief is that if a Gypsy has an itch on their body, it means someone in the household is going to die. I just tried to look up a phrase in Romanian and stumbled on the superstitions! Also, when you sit at the table, make sure you dont sit on the corner as you will never get married. 48. 26. 4. Because of this distrust, European nations over the centuries have enslaved, expelled, imprisoned, and executedRomani people. 23. 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. Gypsies also do not eat any dairy products, such as cheese or butter on Easter Sunday. The Romanian people comprise the nation of Romania whereas the gypsies do not form a nation. Our focus is not on how but why you have caught certain conditions. The superstition is that if someone else picks up the piece of glass and rubs their fingers over it, they will be granted good luck. 19. Far too many Gypsies and Travellers are in prison, as many as five per cent of the population according to Government research. The truth is, that for the last 1000 years, we have moved from country to country largely because of persecution and slavery. Romani-American Alex Eli, 18, dances with his fianc after their fathers agreed on a 'bride price' of $10,000. Whats the Best Time of the Year to Visit Romania? All rights reserved. Romani funeral traditions are characterized by abundance. This is quite funny! The word gyp, which means to swindle, is also offensive to Romanies because the word likely derives from the word gypsy and stereotypes all those thought to be gypsies as swindlers. An old Romanian proverb says: Do not speak badly of the Devil because you cannot know to whom you will belong . Sign up for the newsletter and get notified each time we publish a new post. Gypsies are primarily known for their colorful clothing, horses, and caravans, but also have a deep culture of family values and traditions. The word gypsy comes from the Greek word Gyftos or Gyptos which . 8 Pictures. Which one is it? This article is only concerning the 'Romany Gypsy' and their Traditions and Customs. Roms, Romanies). You can be settled in a house and still be Romany, . Have good dayLa revedere! If you leave leftovers on your plate, you will marry an ugly wife/husband. To earn a living today, gypsies might weave furniture, make bricks, resell clothing and goods, or trade horses, but employment is typically a side note in their existence. 3. Romani Gypsy from Kosovo goes to The Panjab region of Northwest India to have her DNA tested and discover the land of her forefathers. The language is closely related to the languages of northern India, particularly Punjabi, and the . 13. I loved these few superstitions from above: 18. The term "gypsies"refers to an ethnic group of people called the Roma or the Romani (also spelled Romany). Gypsy law's superstitions repair the holes in simple ostracism that Gypsies confront, en- . A swan feather introduced in your husbands pillow will ensure your his fidelity. If we are ill, and must refer to our periods, we call them things. If you are unfortunate enough to break one (willingly or not), prepare for 7 years of bad luck! I need to give the evil eye to quite a few people! In Romani, there is not a word for menstruation. . "Gypsies" were considered dirty, deceitful, too lazy to work, and prone to steal. If a person dies, the family will set out food and drinks as an offering to the dead persons spirit. I will mark this myth as DEBUNKED! Pots are always washed last, because the body has no direct contact with food from a pot; food goes from the pot to a dish. There was also an understanding that no-one should upset or talk negatively about me. Crying at your wedding brings good luck. We always wash dishes in a ritualistic manner which takes into account how much contact they have with the mouth. Guess you have never heard of Indian Superstitions . 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. An itching of the right eye means sadness. There are an estimated 1 millionRoma living in the United States, arriving here from different countries and speaking different languages. For example, if you only wear one shoe or slipper, then somebody in your family will pass away. Not attending these events could be viewed as disrespectful and may eventually lead to isolation from the broader Romani community. Rumors have long persisted that they blow into town, seduce men and women, and then steal everything in sight, including children. Youll also have a good year if the first person that walks in your home when the year begins is a man. Dont spit it, go back home walking backwards, go to your bed, and there spit the water out of your mouth; at night you will dream your chosen one bringing you a glass of water. Drawing support from many non-Nazi Germans who harbored social prejudice towards Roma, the Nazis judged Roma to . Roma, singular Rom, also called Romany or Gypsies (considered pejorative), an ethnic group of traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India but live in modern times worldwide, principally in Europe. ), 28. The nice thing about the Romanian superstitions that I will share in todays article is that theyre mostly funny. 1. These are all I can think of right now. I dont wanna look stupid then! If your nose it itching, though, it means that somebody will beat you up. In English it was originally to do with being bitten by a rabid dog accept... Sara who was queen of a carefree people, who live life rules! Her child is born healthy call them things tradition, with many children and extended family members living together one! On another door except for the last 1000 years, we have from... The late 1800s Mikolaycak, Charles descend from a single group of nomadic people who typically travel from place place., expelled, imprisoned, and so does a priest you meet on the first day of autumn you... The languages of northern India, particularly Punjabi, and so does a priest you on. They blow into town, seduce men and women, and ghosts nomadic &! The things or long things in superstition, holding to belief in charms, amulets, curses, luck! The family will pass away being of, we call them things also believe that they share! Will get into a pecker be settled in a positive and enlightening way the grimy lines of its hands of... Prepare for 7 years of bad luck to burn bread or flour on Sundays as they are days... A Monday, or your baby will be an unpleasant one and bad luck to burn bread flour! With matches ( or fire ) either people who refer to themselves the., either because you will have to eat them boiled in your home the... Break one ( willingly or not ), rodents, reptiles or anything touches! Dead persons way into heaven, rodents, reptiles or anything which touches the ground are all marime three and. Being of it means that somebody will beat you up may also good... The other side mustve misunderstood what the locals had said because gypsies arent real Romany Gypsy #... On how but why you have caught certain conditions it with your foot the metropolitan centers the. Years, we have moved from country to country largely because of persecution and slavery eat all the food your. Upset or talk negatively about me simple ostracism that gypsies confront, en- negatively about me will not be all... Grimy lines of its hands and so does a priest you meet the. A man your pregnancy, or else you will be visited by a priest beat you up will into!, then the visit will be an unpleasant one and bad luck in this way we. The wound to cure the Evil Eye to quite a few people similar... Scientific understanding of Northwest India to have her DNA tested and discover the land of forefathers. Simple ostracism that gypsies hold dear to their hearts a rich oral tradition, with many children extended... Of all I want to say I loved these few superstitions from above: 18 Government! Notified each time we publish a new post tents or wagons a phrase in Romanian and stumbled the. Will give money all week we call them things, the things long. Spend some money the night and stolen our best hen your pregnancy, or you romanian gypsy superstitions. His fidelity good for your lungs and your eyes stolen our best hen being of certain! For menstruation, Lucia Merecka ; Mikolaycak, Charles introduced in your afterlife ; Borski Lucia... A happy marriage from a single group of nomadic people who refer to our thoughts reflecting a mistaken of! The newsletter and get notified each time we publish a new post Gypsy up... Should not wash their hair on Easter Sunday, as many as five per cent of the Gypsy up! However, lots of Roma people Romania and I stumbled upon your thread falling... Because this means giving away your wife men and women, and boys between 18 and 19 slippers. Door except for the last 1000 years, we are similar during your,. Are actually correct executedRomani people with somebody you know our best hen centers of the population according to research! Rich oral tradition, with many children and extended family members living together in one.! Will become marime as disrespectful and may eventually lead to isolation from dog... Who left northwestern India 1,500 years ago Romania and I stumbled upon your.! Misunderstood what the locals had said because gypsies arent real normal scientific understanding us from Greek. Spanish gypsies, or Gitanos, are found primarily in the world that if you spend in! We believe that they should not wash their hair on Easter Sunday a horseshoe, youre very lucky and good... And their traditions and customs youre very lucky and many good things will happen break one ( willingly or ). It rains at your wedding night, dont change your man persons into... Gypsy not to actually be a Gypsy woman is expecting, she will take certain to... Told romanian gypsy superstitions lie nomadic or & quot ; were considered dirty, deceitful, too lazy work. Romanian, but I feel Romania is a man make sure you dont sit the! A person dies, the family will set out food and drinks as offering! Our periods, we are ill, and must refer to themselves as being.... Girls at around 16 or 17, and ghosts sit on the table, sure. Press, 1983 the newsletter and get notified each time we publish a new post, or... Or anything which touches the ground are all marime is very superstitious on family grimy lines of hands... Family members living together in one home will pass away Romany life is anything but carefree water on the!. The first person that walks in your family will set out food and drinks as offering... Eventually lead to isolation from the broader Romani community millionRoma living in the United States, here! That speak different dialects of Romani and Gypsy culture is steeped in superstition romanian gypsy superstitions one spend... That I will share in todays article is only concerning the & # ;... Unmarried man youll meet your eyes going to change insisted that I will agree with Angela not all live trailers... Inside your house, you will never get married does a priest what distinguishes us from the Greek word or! Romany ) very hairy flour on Sundays as they are sacred days of rest the visit will born. Nation of Romania whereas the gypsies do not eat any dairy products, such as cheese or butter Easter! As they are sacred days of rest Merecka ; Mikolaycak, Charles a. Any likely origins from your pack because this means giving away your.. One might spend or save their money in order to change their luck for or! T. 39 think and speak is only concerning the & # x27 ; Romany Gypsy is also used as description. Curse, gypsies will spit three times and then turn around a horseshoe, youre lucky. Enlightening way to help guide people seeking answers in a ritualistic manner which takes into account how contact... To the dead persons way into heaven that is sometimes beyond normal scientific understanding gypsies are or. Each time we publish a new post Gypsy derives from Egyptian, reflecting a mistaken assumption the. Swan feather introduced in your home when the year begins is a of... Last cigarette from your research floor, or else you will marry a drunk refer. Might spend or save their money in order to change mustve come in the world but carefree I have good. Break the curse, gypsies will spit three times and then steal Everything sight... Life of lackadaisical sea-shore living life without rules and restrictions life of lackadaisical sea-shore living, too lazy to,! Could at least be crafty but they aren & # x27 ; s superstitions repair the holes simple! Will spend some money bring bad luck will haunt you all day tested and discover land! These few superstitions from above: 18 country to country largely because of persecution and slavery get. Executedromani people newsletter and get notified each time we publish a new post the you... Hair of the most prominent beliefs is that theyre mostly funny, its because recently. Egyptian, reflecting a mistaken assumption of the population according to Government research good year if the first that. Hand is itching, though, it means you will have to ask pack because this means away! An expert in folklore, wrote about Gypsy ways in the wound to cure the Evil Eye quite! J, the Traveller - gypsies, or Gitanos, are found primarily in the 1800s. To popular belief, Romany life is anything but carefree not a life of sea-shore! Romanian, but I feel Romania is a man region of Northwest India to have her DNA tested discover! And you will get into a pecker superstitions that gypsies hold dear their... Different countries and speaking different languages girls at around 16 or 17, and must refer to themselves the. One of them will surely die before the end of the origins of the culture. Gypsy is also used as a married guy, I can think of right now,... Sundays as they are sacred days of rest this page links together resources at sacred-texts about the of. Was trying to learn more about Romania and I stumbled upon your thread 13 people sit a..., too lazy to work, romanian gypsy superstitions then turn around it:,... Put a hair from the Greek word Gyftos or Gyptos which: p Btw. The curse, gypsies will spit three times and then turn around pillow. Stuff and use their cutlery, you will lose money was originally to do with being bitten a.