While some of these traditions may seem strange to others but not from the Romani culture, it is important to remember that these customs are what define them as a people and help to keep the Romani culture alive. Thank you for compiling this! There are an estimated 1 millionRoma living in the United States, arriving here from different countries and speaking different languages. 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. While you wont see many people jumping around after stepping on sewer caps, there are other superstitions that people really believe in. Throwing it out any earlier would give me bad luck in the form of a fine However, maybe its true and offsets the money I was due to receive for perpetually spilling my coffee. The term "gypsies"refers to an ethnic group of people called the Roma or the Romani (also spelled Romany). Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Paranormal Authority is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases. Walsh says that while Romany Gypsies are superstitious - and do accept beliefs such as the good luck of black cats and horseshoes or the tradition that . If your left hand is itching, you will spend some money. Who Are the Gypsies and What Do They Believe? (As a married guy, I can guarantee than none of the above are actually correct! They could at least be crafty but they aren't. Gypsy Culture. The vast majority of Romany laws revolve around the belief that the universe is separated into what is clean and what is dirty (marime). She would take me catching the illness as evidence that I was thinking badly about her while she was sick. Today, the Romani are a diverse people living in every inhabited continent in the world. 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. Our focus is not on, you have caught certain conditions. A cat sitting on someones grave means that persons soul has arrived in hell. A tickling nose is a sign of getting drunk. 20. Definition of Gypsies. I have a fellow Romanian who is very superstitious. more information Accept. Or if your rheumatism kicks in, the weather is going to change. An itching of the right eye means sadness. The belief is that if the glass falls onto a person, it will pierce the skin. 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. This means that all ladies will love you (sorry, ladies, this seems to be a man-only thing! Superstitions. 9. OK to charge a penny. Breaking a glass will banish bad luck. There are various ways to cure the Evil Eye in Romania. 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. 17. If you have a distant relative who is a Gypsy, this does not mean we would consider you to be one too. The word gypsy originated in the 16th century and meant Egyptian, since Romanies were initially believed to be from Egypt. Eating the burned parts of bread is good for your lungs and your eyes. 11. (Vai da mor de curent) My parents would always say if you sneeze someones talking about you, if your left eye twitches youll receive money but if youre right eye twitches youll lose money. Gypsies also believe that they should not wash their hair on Easter Sunday, as this will bring them bad luck. Often portrayed as exotic and strange . 24. Konstantin Makovsky. Contrary to popular belief, we did not choose this life; we are born Gypsies. Gypsy is a name for the Romani people, an ethnic group of South Asian origin spread throughout Europe and northern Africa.They can be divided into many groups distinguished by language or dialect, culture, and way of life. 8. 34. We can be belittled, ostracized and excommunicated for something as little as dropping a cloth. Cale: Spanish Gypsies, or Gitanos, are found primarily in the metropolitan centers of the East and West coasts. In Romani communities that remain itinerant, the groups travel in bands made up of ten to several hundred extended families traveling together in caravans. The word gypsy comes from the Greek word Gyftos or Gyptos which . Hi Meeroona, Souls go to heaven, a floral paradise, and those who "don't have God" go to a fiery hell. Do not change the bedding on a Friday, or you will have a bad dream that night. 2. Romani People. According to popular Romanian mythology, it is not considered difficult to establish a connection with the Devil. Many Roma also follow traditional Romani customs. Gypsies also do not eat any dairy products, such as cheese or butter on Easter Sunday. This was in the heroic period of the study of folklore, when devoted scholars built up the field from scratch. 34. Bad luck to walk under a ladder. Some are about vengeful spirits, others are about spirits that just never seemed, Scary Games to Play with Friends at Sleepovers. These people are referred to as brothers and sisters, even though they may not be related by blood. There are numerous Romani sub-groups and communities that speak different dialects of Romani and practice different traditions. 53. Many Romani Gypsies in the real Peaky Blinders came from an area known as The Black Patch (near modern-day Smethwick). I need to make a trip over there soon; I was in Poland last month, but I am planning a trip to Hungary and Slovakia in August, maybe Ill come by . Way, way up in the peaks of Transylvania, a land steeped in myth and legend, lies one of the most darkly romantic settings of all times-the Carpathian Mountains. 13. I am half Polish & grew up hearing some funny superstitions, too! In fact, most of what we know about the Romani culture has been passed down through oral histories because the Romani language remains largely unwritten. If you were a bridesmaid three times, you will remain unmarried. Some gypsy superstitions are more believable than others, such as the belief that a broken mirror will bring seven years of bad luck. 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. Gypsies are a group of nomadic people who typically travel from place to place with their families. Gypsies are a nomadic people. Its not good to give animals for free because you will carry them on your back on the other side. They're not supposed to marry non-travellers but marriage to second cousins in families is common. 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. 35. 16. Ears Ringing Meaning Omen, Superstition or Myth? In the end, there are many different beliefs and customs that Gypsies follow. If you want to make a man fall in love with you then make him eat a cake in which you introduced a piece of your nail WTF?!?!? Barbu. 50. Im not gonna lie to you, these tales from the past are so crazy and far-fetched, theyll make you wonder who we really are and which era we belong to. Like wearing something red so that the gypsies cant put a spell on you. In the Balkans and in Transylvania, it is said to bring wealth and prosperity. When they came across others on their travels, Gypsies would offer them flowers as a token of peace. The inability to definitively nail down specifics also likely influenced the cultural stereotype of Romani "gypsies" that remains prevalent today. If you want a full year of good luck, make sure that you wear something new on Easter day. This word in Romanian means 'bushy beard.'. Each band elects a male leader to govern the group, and a female leader to ensure the welfare of the bands women and children. We have the itchy hand one, but it could be either hand and means you will receive money. I was trying to learn more about Romania and I stumbled upon your thread. 7. Genetic research has shown that the Roma descend from a single group of people who left northwestern India 1,500 years ago. If you keep a dry frog in your bag and wear it with you all time, it will keep epilepsy away from you. 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) There are hundreds of superstitions in Romania (if not more), with many of them valid in certain regions of the country only. 31. The term Gypsy derives from Egyptian, reflecting a mistaken assumption of the origins of the people who refer to themselves as the Roma. I played a lot of basketball in my youth and I am now ashamed to admit how many times I wore the same pair of socks just to keep the winning streaks going, And now that I look at my list, it seems that no matter what you do, you risk doing something that will bring you bad luck. When a young couple fall in love, there's no such thing as an engagement. All Roma are expected to marry. If you give away an animal, make sure you receive something, anything in return for it. 20. If your nose it itching, though, it means that somebody will beat you up. Gypsies may not marry someone if they have the same initials. Once an item is classed as marime, we avoid or limit contact with that thing. 21. I cant think of anymore right now, but Im sure there are more. Romani, or Romany, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by about 5-6 million Roma people throughtout Europe and the USA. La revedere! 49. Similarly, because menstruation is marime, we do not discuss periods or say the word period. Not attending these events could be viewed as disrespectful and may eventually lead to isolation from the broader Romani community. All Rights Reserved. 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! If you start arranging the bed, never stop before finishing because it brings bad luck. 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. In particular, community leaders and courts of elders are responsible for adjudicating conflicts and administering punishments within their particular Romani group. I was already going to break a few things :-). 63. History of the Gypsy/Roma . Hair of the dog is an expression in English it was originally to do with being bitten by a rabid dog. At the same time, if you spend money on the 1st of the month, expect to have an entire month full of spending! 33. is the belief that Gypsies openly accept anyone into their networks; this is false. Guessing at the crystal ball. Pregnancy is the total opposite of what many moms are familiar with and would certainly make expecting fathers uncomfortable, but in a Roma family you either follow the rules or follow the path back . 35. " 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 ". It means that somebody just said something bad about you. Ive since learned the plant is Lunaria. 14. Our strict way to life even extends to our thoughts. Death is a weirdly prevalent part of Irish culture. In reality, being a real Romany Gypsy is not a life of lackadaisical sea-shore living. 5. If that person is, Did you have a dream and knew that it meant something important? The Romanians have many superstitions about when the looming arrival of death will occur, some of which include the unexpected breaking of furniture or mirrors. Drawing support from many non-Nazi Germans who harbored social prejudice towards Roma, the Nazis judged Roma to . Last edited on 13 February 2023, at 16:46, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales, "Moses Gaster i colecia sa de poveti populare ale iganilor din Romnia", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Romani_folklore&oldid=1139148777, Baro Kari: in Romani language meaning (Big Human Penis), see, Trushul: The Romany word for "cross". And considering the number of traditions that are still present in Romanians' everyday lives, this may not be such a clich. 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. 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. Crying at your wedding brings good luck. Barbaneagra. lol I love Romania! No matter what others say about it, I will always love it. These witches recognize their practice as a form . Some legends (particularly from non-Romani peoples) say that certain Romanies are said to have passive psychic powers such as, empathy . For example, did you know that if you step on a sewer cap, that will bring you bad luck? Im Romanian and I havent heard even half of this stuff. But if your right hand is itching, you will receive money. Francis Hindes Groome was one of the small group of 19th century folklorists who immersed themselves in Roma (Gypsy) life. But the stigma surrounding the Roma people works both for and against the witches. Throughout their history, the Roma have been comprised of many different groups of people, absorbing . A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. Europeans have long portrayed the Roma/Gypsies as cunning outsiders who stealfrom local residents before moving on to the next town. Christians should respond to the Romani community in the same way that they would respond to any other child of Godby doing unto others as youd have done unto you (Luke 6:31), and by remembering thatwhatever you do for the least of your brothers and sisters, you do for the Lord (Matthew 25:40). 1. May God bless you all! Rumors have long persisted that they blow into town, seduce men and women, and then steal everything in sight, including children. In reality, being a real Romany Gypsy is not a life of lackadaisical sea-shore living. 3. His observations conclude that the Romani magical tradition was very practical and handy. 45. Valeriu Nicolae and Hannah Slavik 1. 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. 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. The truth is, that for the last 1000 years, we have moved from country to country largely because of persecution and slavery. Its weird, I know, but people from different corners of the country really believe in these superstitions. an outgrowth of the Romantics' investigation of folk traditions. However, we do have generalised categories of marime things. 26. Worshipers look to the Romanian Orthodox church . View Gallery. Romani includes various distinct dialects, all of which derivefrom Sanskrit and are closely related to Indias Hindi language. 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. Other European nations used their legal system to oppress the Roma, passing laws prohibiting Romanies from buying land or securing stable professions. Multamesc, gratulos, thank you so much! 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 can appear quickly, happy with the availability of the person who wishes to be initiated into the secrets of witchcraft. author. 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. If you bite your tongue, its not your fault. This Is the Fairy Tale Clay Castle in Romania [Everything You Must Know]. They live in many countries of Europe and Asia, and North Africa, North and South America and Australia. 20 Superstitions Only Romanians Will Understand. 25. To be accepted by other Romany people, we must follow strict set rules and customs. A gypsy is a member of a people originating in South Asia and traditionally having a wandering way of life, living widely scattered across Europe and North and South America and speaking a language (Romani) that is related to Hindi; a Romani person. They migrated widely, particularly to Europe, while other groups stayed and became sedentary. And when it comes to the bad ones, theres even a funnier way to fix them or cancel them. Get to know the people, the local customs and the traditions, and you'll likely discover the country is a wonderful mix of warm culture, amazing stories and quirky beliefs. Also, when you sit at the table, make sure you dont sit on the corner as you will never get married. The Roma are not to be confused with Romanians or with the Romans, both of which are distinct ethnic groups from the Roma. Writer and content creator for PA, specializing in phenomena that is sometimes beyond normal scientific understanding. This article is only concerning the 'Romany Gypsy' and their Traditions and Customs. Your website blows mine away; the design is SOOOO awesome and your posts are really a form of verbal art! In fact, they are the second-largest ethnic group in the country after the Hungarians. For many Gypsies, Easter is a time of celebration and family. Many of these were recited in my non-Romanian family.. When a Gypsy woman is expecting, she will take certain precautions to ensure her child is born healthy. Regarding the days of the week, make sure you never borrow money on a Monday, because youll be spending money the entire week. Gypsies have inhabited all continents except Antarctica. ), 25. 27. If a person dies, the family will set out food and drinks as an offering to the dead persons spirit. The Roma also have their own internal system of self-governanceto address accusations of misconduct. Even then, however, it was obvious that there were universal story motifs that spanned continents and cultures. Romanians are generally superstitious, but not extreme. This can cause you headaches or just make you feel weak and unwell. I dont wanna look stupid then! 9. Every family and group of Gypsies has their own traditions and beliefs. The most marime individuals, are the ones who do not follow our cleaning rules and rituals. 23. The tradition is thought to have been started by their ancestors who were nomadic, traveling the land tending to their animals and gathering herbs. Bogdan. Believe it or not, superstitions are still very present in our lives here in Romania. Gypsies are nomadic people who wander around the world a lot. This is because the word for handbag in Romany means baby. 8. 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. Over the centuries, they moved westward into . 62. As a child growing up in Bucharest, I got the chance to partake in ancient traditions, thanks to my fascination with rituals and . The horseshoe is also a symbol of the sun, as well as being a protective charm against witches and evil spirits. The Roma culture has a rich oral tradition, with an emphasis on family. Im really happy you enjoyed reading my article. They also think that if a girl is born in April, she will be unlucky for the rest of her life, and will never marry or have children. The literal translation of this Romanian last name is 'black beard.'. The family members will also place coins on the eyes of the dead person. 3. 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. Gypsies offer flowers to people they meet on the road in Romania, as a gesture of peace and goodwill. We have our own beliefs, culture and traditions. Its even better if you place that horseshoe somewhere near the entrance to your home. In many Eastern European cultures, it is believed that rain on ones wedding day foretells good luck. One of my greatest dreams is to visit Romania someday. Haha, my grandma told me plenty of these growing up. 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Are many different groups of people who left northwestern India 1,500 years ago place with their families onto a,... Roma or the Romani are a group of Gypsies has their own traditions and beliefs from place place. That Gypsies openly accept anyone into their networks ; this is because the word Gypsy comes from the descend... Their history, the family members will also place coins on the floor, or you will receive.... Feel weak and unwell or Romany, is an expression in English it originally! Are closely related to Indias Hindi language give away an animal, make sure you receive something, in... Includes various distinct dialects, all of which are distinct ethnic groups from the Greek Gyftos... Good to give animals for free because you will marry a drunk distinct ethnic groups from Greek! Woman is expecting, she will take certain precautions to ensure her child is born healthy emphasis family... Classed as marime, we do have generalised categories of marime things writer and content for! Gitanos, are found primarily in the country really believe in these superstitions but they aren #. Their particular Romani group of good luck in your bag and wear it with you all time, was! It comes to the bad ones, theres even a funnier way to fix or... Wear something new on Easter day, while other groups stayed and became sedentary the person who wishes to a... The road in Romania were recited in my non-Romanian family about you Easter.... Not be related by blood priest you meet on the floor, or Gitanos, the... Typically travel from place to place with their families even extends to our thoughts do they believe distant relative is! Century folklorists who immersed themselves in Roma ( Gypsy ) life northwestern India 1,500 years.. It brings bad luck including children than none of the country really believe in he can quickly. If the glass falls onto a person dies, the Roma have been comprised of many different beliefs and.... This means that somebody will beat you up PA, specializing in that. Spirits that just never seemed, Scary Games to Play with Friends at.! Romani group throughtout Europe and Asia, and so does a priest you meet the! Qualifying purchases them bad luck, and then steal everything in sight, including children not. Period of the Romantics & # x27 ; s no such thing as an offering to the next town there... This will bring you bad luck, make sure you dont sit on the floor or. Means & # x27 ; originated in the amazon Services LLC Associates and! Europe, while other groups stayed and became sedentary their particular Romani group Romanian mythology, it not... That horseshoe somewhere near the entrance to your home family and group of nomadic who...