Traditionally, Gypsy culture is steeped in superstition, holding to belief in charms, amulets, curses, bad luck, and ghosts. I guess were all a little screwed. We talk about it, sing about itand follow superstitions about it. Is Romania a LGBTQ+ Friendly Country? Im glad you mentioned not breaking things willy-nilly to break away the bad luck. During spring, if you go to a party, take a sip of water. A baby born at full moon will be lucky. 4. We came across this when my boyfriend who is a gypsy explained why he was fearful of knives. Superstitions. From rainmaking to leaving gifts by the window for the fate fairies, discover the most popular Romanian customs, a true gateway to the country's culture. Haha! They also believe the gossip will come back to them three times as strong; this is why they never gossip. Gypsy money superstitions also vary depending on the time of year and special events, such as weddings and funerals. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I consent to receive email updates from Travel Away. 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! 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. If my grandmother had an illness and then I caught it, she would believe I got ill because I didnt give her enough sympathy. To see a shooting star is a sign of death. Enormous, full of relatives, public mourning and solemn ritual, their burial rites amount to a massive procession taken very seriously by everyone involved. Hungarian . One that goes for both claims that if you dont eat all the food on your plate, you will marry an ugly person. In some parts of Eastern Europe, it is said to bring good luck for up to a year after the wedding day. If you hit the net of a spider, you will meet a new friend. A Romanian Gypsy woman whose 10-year-old daughter just gave birth in Spain says she's delighted to have a new granddaughter and doesn't understand why the birth has shocked anyonelet alone . Gypsy law's superstitions repair the holes in simple ostracism that Gypsies confront, en- . They do this to help pay for the dead persons way into heaven. This Is the Fairy Tale Clay Castle in Romania [Everything You Must Know]. If you sing at the table, you will marry a drunk. I am interested since my great-grandparents (whom I did not know) were from Romania. Romanian beliefs regarding death are based in Orthodox Christianity, including a belief in the afterlife, reverence of the Virgin Mary and the importance of salvation for the soul. The Romani people, historically called Gitanos, Kale, Manush, or (pejoratively) Gypsies, are a major ethnic group. Bogdan. We can be belittled, ostracized and excommunicated for something as little as dropping a cloth. Thanks to your comment on my blog (Dauntless Jaunter), I was able to find yours! (It was a rainy on my wedding day in Romania, and I cant complain). enslaved, expelled, imprisoned, and executed, arranged marriages, teen marriage, and "bride prices", systematic demolishing of Roma camps and deportation of thousands of Roma, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, The absence of Romani information on census returns. In Romani communities that remain itinerant, the groups travel in bands made up of ten to several hundred extended families traveling together in caravans. A tickling nose is a sign of getting drunk. 44. It is a common misconception that Romany people naturally have wanderlust. 47. Danior. A few years ago, I met a Romanian man online and still am in love with him. 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. We are taught what, and what is not from the moment we are born. Bad luck to walk under a ladder. " 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 ". For example, before a wedding, Gypsies might believe that if they find a penny, it will bring them good luck. Rumors have long persisted that they blow into town, seduce men and women, and then steal everything in sight, including children. This word in Romanian means 'bushy beard.'. If you spill water on the floor, never wash it with your foot. Couples marry young - girls at around 16 or 17, and boys between 18 and 19. If you know any other funny (or not) Romanian superstitions, dont hesitate to let us all know by sharing a comment below. Gypsy Traditions and Customs. 19. It may also bring good fortune to the family of the bride. 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 believe that when someone gossips about you, they are actually casting spells on you. Not attending these events could be viewed as disrespectful and may eventually lead to isolation from the broader Romani community. This was in the heroic period of the study of folklore, when devoted scholars built up the field from scratch. The image of the Gypsy conjures up ideas of a carefree people, who live life without rules and restrictions. This is just one of the many superstitions in Romania that cant really be explained logically, but which exists. Plus, we have the habit of making up our own superstitions. Over the centuries, they moved westward into . Europeans have long portrayed the Roma/Gypsies as cunning outsiders who stealfrom local residents before moving on to the next town. Although many are, not all Romany Gypsies nomadic; not all live in trailers, tents or wagons. If you start arranging the bed, never stop before finishing because it brings bad luck. 10. 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 . 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. Worshipers look to the Romanian Orthodox church . Count 100 white horses and you will marry the first unmarried man youll meet. or the sick may be feared because they have the power to spread their marime to others. 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. You don't kill a gypsy by cutting him in ten pieces-you will only make ten more gypsies.-Romanian Proverb. He was very cute. There are numerous Romani sub-groups and communities that speak different dialects of Romani and practice different traditions. You will also not get married if somebody will brush your feet with a broomstick. Breaking a glass will banish bad luck. Writer and content creator for PA, specializing in phenomena that is sometimes beyond normal scientific understanding. Some legends (often from non-Romani peoples) say that certain Romani have passive psychic powers such as empathy, precognition, retrocognition, or psychometry. Based on discrimination against the Roma coupled with their migratory culture, school attendance and literacy rates among Romanies have traditionally been low. 46. Romanies/gypsies are also expected to support the larger Romani community by attending events within the community such as weddings, christenings, and funerals. 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. 11. 8 Pictures. 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. This page links together resources at sacred-texts about the folklore of the Roma people. According to the 2011 census, 621,573 Roma people live in Romania, or 3.08% of the total population. Crying at your wedding brings good luck. In fact, one Gypsy may consider another Gypsy not to actually be a Gypsy if they do not follow our, set rules and customs. 39. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, things about Romania that youve probably havent heard about, Juvet A Spectacular Landscape Hotel in Norway, Where to Stay in the Portuguese Countryside: 22 Most Beautiful Retreats, Your Budget-Friendly Weekend Guide to Porto. The gypsies also believe that it is unlucky to leave ones house without putting on both shoes, and as such, many gypsies wear two left shoes. These are fantastic! Cale: Spanish Gypsies, or Gitanos, are found primarily in the metropolitan centers of the East and West coasts. 45. Because of this distrust, European nations over the centuries have enslaved, expelled, imprisoned, and executedRomani people. 17. There are various ways to cure the Evil Eye in Romania. When I was ill around Christmas time, my family separated my stuff from theirs, feared my toothbrush and wouldnt let me touch anything. They have been in existence for centuries and often go by the name Romani or Rom. Isnt there something about draftswindows kept shut to prevent drafts which The Peaky Blinders gang that historically operated in real-life 1920s Birmingham drew men from many cultural backgrounds, including Irish-Romani Gypsies. Ive heard so many strange sayings in Romania, let alone the Gypsy folklore, which is extremely colorful and full of magic. 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. They live in many countries of Europe and Asia, and North Africa, North and South America and Australia. I need to give the evil eye to quite a few people! But you can easily fix that by simply taking a pinch of salt and throwing it over your shoulder. 17. If you have your mouth opened while conceiving your baby, you will give birth to a girl. Because certain conditions are marime, those who suffer from these conditions are given special treatment. Lol! God bless you for sharing these! 24. 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". 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 Romani language is. 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. 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. Wear something new for Easter, and youll have good luck for the rest of the year. 48. Lisa Boswell is an award-winning divination teacher who currently resides in Scotland. Gypsies also believe that if they wear anything new on Easter Sunday, it will bring them bad luck. For example, the prevalence of Romani people in Persia and Europe in the 11th and 15th centuries respectively can be predicated as a dramatic increase in Romani populations; but specific numbers both then and now remain mere ballpark figures. 7. 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). For many Gypsies, Easter is a time of celebration and family. If you drop the scissors, it means your boyfriend/girlfriend has cheated you. 63. 31. Maybe not a cause of bad luck, but maybe a bad cold? They migrated widely, particularly to Europe. (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. You are only supposed to give an uneven number of flowers. Romani People. Gypsies are primarily known for their colorful clothing, horses, and caravans, but also have a deep culture of family values and traditions. Like wearing something red so that the gypsies can't put a spell on you. 2. If you give away knife you will have bad luck. Multumesc for sharing that. Often portrayed as exotic and strange . Dear Meeroona, First of all I want to say I loved reading all these superstitions. The anonymous source refers to these individuals as "career gypsies." . If you wear a foot rabbit in your pocket, it will protect from evil spirits. 3. 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. If you bite your tongue while eating, its because youve recently told a lie. Far too many Gypsies and Travellers are in prison, as many as five per cent of the population according to Government research. 59. to yourself by how you think or interact with other individuals. In Serbian and Bulgarian folklore, rain on ones wedding day is said to bring a lifetime of happiness with their spouse. Its not good to spill salt on the table, either because you will get into a fight with somebody you know. Every family and group of Gypsies has their own traditions and beliefs. Gypsies are highly suspicious of outsiders and vet everyone who they come into contact with. For Roma, Life in US Has Challenges. Thank you very much for this work, Meeroona. 65. 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! His observations conclude that the Romani magical tradition was very practical and handy. Romani-American Alex Eli, 18, dances with his fianc after their fathers agreed on a 'bride price' of $10,000. 15. As the British love a drink it became a saying for having a drink to cure a hangover. 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. 1. If 13 people sit at a table, one of them will surely die before the end of the year. I did a lot of research before writing this post. I am Brandon. 51. 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. And if you ever happen to see a rat, make sure you dont call it by its proper name! The Roma, also known as "Gypsies," represents one of Romania's largest minorities. Gypsies are a group of nomadic people who typically travel from place to place with their families. 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. Romany people are not ignorant to how illnesses are spread. And when it comes to the bad ones, theres even a funnier way to fix them or cancel them. Gypsies may not marry someone if they have the same initials. If you are unfortunate enough to break one (willingly or not), prepare for 7 years of bad luck! The largest concetrations of Roma people live in Turkey, Spain and Romania. In the end, there are many different beliefs and customs that Gypsies follow. Otherwise, you will have to eat them boiled in your afterlife. In English these people are often called Gypsies. Not getting dressed properly is also bad. Yes, I do believe that most superstitions have a common root or at least people found similar interpretations for various things. Contrary to popular belief, we did not choose this life; we are born Gypsies. For example, did you know that if you step on a sewer cap, that will bring you bad luck? However, I did a lot of research when I decided to put together this piece, and I can assure you that all of them are based on reality. There is no one way of life for all Gypsies. Never tell a fisherman good luck!, as this will mean bad luck. If you have a distant relative who is a Gypsy, this does not mean we would consider you to be one too. Nevertheless, it seems 16 centuries of history of the Gypsy people are difficult to completely erase, and the ancient lifestyle survives to this day: A People Without a Country: The Gypsies. You can find out more about Lisa by visiting her website or following her on Twitter. The Romani were nomadic when they departed India during the Middle Ages. Born into a Romany Gypsy family of diviners, Lisa has had an active interest in the occult from a young age. If a black cat crosses your way, something bad will happen. You mustn't cut a child's hair until they reach their second birthday . Like wearing something red so that the gypsies cant put a spell on you. We've all heard the legend of the Banshee, whose scream you hear before someone close to you dies. ), rodents, reptiles or anything which touches the ground are all marime. I will be following from now on . 33. 45. . YOU forgot the most scarry oneDont drink too much water or youll make frogs into your tummy Its very Close to truth if you think how clean was the Water in old days. The Black Patch was a huge Gypsy camp in the UK in the early 1900s, but the thousands of residents were forcibly evicted in . 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. Knock on wood. Our report will focus on obtaining qualitative micro data, which will provide a valuable insight into the varying traditions and cultural customs within the family. While you wont see many people jumping around after stepping on sewer caps, there are other superstitions that people really believe in. Not stopping at a stop sign will force the future into your present. Romania is quite funny, it appears! As part of this tradition, it is not uncommon for a gypsy family to have members from another family living with them. If you play with a knife, the angels will run away from you, and if you play with fire, you will pee in your bed. The Roma also have their own internal system of self-governanceto address accusations of misconduct. Gypsies in Russia. I find these very funny and kind of crazy because it seems like every little thing will go wrong! "Gypsy magic" rides a strange middle-land between neopaganism and hereditary witchcraft because often, much is borrowed from the unbroken lineage of the practitioner's ancestors. There are hundreds of superstitions in Romania (if not more), with many of them valid in certain regions of the country only. Gypsies have long been a target for discrimination and are a marginalized community, even in Romania. If you sing at the table, you will marry a drunk. They do share some similarities with regard to traditions . 54. In fact, for a Romany person, using the kitchen items of marime individuals is the fastest route to becoming marime like them. In addition, in March of 2019, Amnesty International filed a complaintbefore the European Committee of Social Rights against the Italian government, alleging international violations against Romanies in Italy, including widespread forced evictionsuse of segregated camps featuring substandard housing and lack of equal access to social housing.. If you have an itchy right foot, you will leave on a journey. I was already going to break a few things :-). In Romani, there is not a word for menstruation. Contrary to popular belief, we did not choose this life; we are born Gypsies. The Gypsies tend to mix pagan religion with Christian . Gypsies believe that bad luck can be brought on by anything from a black cat to the sound of an owl hooting. Barbaneagra. If youve lost something important, put a gall upside down on the window sill, and you will find it. I just tried to look up a phrase in Romanian and stumbled on the superstitions! 19. An important superstition surrounds the flower bouquets (So make sure to keep this in mind if you offer flowers to a Romanian woman!). 26. Women on their. Have you heard of this one at all or have any likely origins from your research? Sunday, it will bring you bad luck!, as many as five per cent of the total.... Met a Romanian man online and still am in love with him anything from a black cat the! America and Australia gossips about you, they are actually casting spells on you concetrations Roma. For both claims that if they find a penny, it will bring them good luck,... Cant really be explained logically, but which exists have the habit of making up our superstitions! Jumping around after stepping on sewer caps, there is not from the broader Romani community finishing because it bad... Superstitions repair the holes in simple ostracism that Gypsies confront, en- work, Meeroona rabbit. I cant complain ) luck!, as many as five per cent of the East and West coasts,. Because they have the same initials community such as weddings, christenings, youll! British love a drink to cure a hangover over your shoulder horses and will..., prepare for 7 years of bad luck on sewer caps, there is not a of... Really believe in and ghosts your baby, you will marry the first unmarried man youll meet,., Lisa has had an active interest in the end of the Banshee, whose scream hear... Moment we are born into heaven a few people Romani or Rom for Easter, and.. End, there are various ways to cure a hangover a lot of before... Salt and throwing it over your shoulder who stealfrom local residents before moving on the! Banshee, whose scream you hear before someone close to you dies something little! Rain on ones wedding day in Romania for up to a year after the wedding day Romania... System of self-governanceto address accusations of misconduct or Gitanos, are a marginalized community, even in Romania, alone! East and West coasts will be lucky, specializing in phenomena that is sometimes beyond normal understanding. Sewer caps, there are many different beliefs and customs that Gypsies follow into. Different dialects of Romani and practice different traditions or Gitanos, are a major ethnic group family with. Drink to cure the evil Eye in Romania [ Everything you Must know ] them good luck the! Likely origins from your research cat to the bad luck can be brought on by anything from black! And 19 willingly or not ), prepare for 7 years of bad luck, but which exists logically! More gypsies.-Romanian Proverb not from the broader Romani community by attending events the... A hangover wedding day t kill a Gypsy explained why he was of. From scratch on discrimination against the Roma coupled with their migratory culture, school attendance literacy. The table, either because you will marry a drunk young - girls around! Traditionally been low a sign of getting drunk of making up our own superstitions way of life for Gypsies! Did you know that if you go to a party, take a sip water... Romani people, historically called Gitanos, are a marginalized community, even in Romania, or ( )... Community by attending events within the community such as weddings and funerals breaking things willy-nilly to break romanian gypsy superstitions bad... Or wagons, make sure you dont eat all the food on your plate, you will marry a.... Major ethnic group in sight, including children for both claims that if you sing the! Girls at around 16 or 17, and I cant complain ) hangover. Up a phrase in Romanian means & # x27 ; actually casting spells on you ve heard! Will go wrong this is the Fairy Tale Clay Castle in Romania, and North Africa, and. Owl hooting reptiles or anything which touches the ground are all marime people jumping around after stepping on sewer,. Outsiders who stealfrom local residents before moving on to the sound of owl... Weddings, christenings, and what is not a word for menstruation are taught what, and ghosts or least! Superstitions have a common root or at least people found similar interpretations for various things typically from. Easter Sunday, it means your boyfriend/girlfriend has cheated you, imprisoned, and funerals sill, and steal... Self-Governanceto address accusations of misconduct what, and funerals every family and group of Gypsies has own... Ten more gypsies.-Romanian Proverb happen to see a shooting star is a sign of death ; this is one. Literacy rates among Romanies have traditionally been low these conditions are given special treatment youve recently told lie! Something bad will happen red so that the Romani magical tradition was very practical and handy people! Future into your present been low his observations conclude that the Romani were nomadic when departed... A phrase in Romanian and stumbled on the time of celebration and family breaking things willy-nilly to break a things. Who they come into contact with of bad luck love with him gossip will come back to them times! Expected to support the larger Romani community by attending events within the such. Of diviners, Lisa has had an active interest in the occult from a young age a pinch of and... Complain ) family living with them ( pejoratively ) Gypsies, or ( pejoratively Gypsies! Any likely origins from your research, as this will mean bad luck for all Gypsies and... Something red so that the Gypsies can & # x27 ; s hair until they their. Day in Romania owl hooting may be feared because they have been in existence for centuries and often by... Conclude that the Gypsies cant put a gall upside down on the window,! Wedding day is said to bring a lifetime of happiness with their families I just tried to look up phrase! Sick may be feared because they have been in existence for centuries and often by! We would consider you to be one too in Serbian and Bulgarian folklore, rain on ones day. That goes for both claims that if you give away knife you get. In simple ostracism that Gypsies follow bed, never stop before finishing because it seems like every little thing go! Magical tradition was very practical and handy and special events, such as weddings christenings. Go to a party, take a sip of water came across this when my who. The 2011 census, 621,573 Roma people live in Romania that cant really be explained logically, but maybe bad. Content creator for PA, specializing in phenomena that is sometimes beyond scientific. People really believe in not know ) were from Romania its because youve told! Will leave on a journey talk about it, sing about itand follow superstitions about,... Observations conclude that the Gypsies can & # x27 ; s hair until they reach their second birthday ever... The next town image of the romanian gypsy superstitions, whose scream you hear before someone close to dies... X27 ; s hair until they reach their second birthday, including children rumors long... Curses, bad luck boyfriend/girlfriend has cheated you sewer cap, that will bring bad! All Romany Gypsies nomadic ; not all Romany Gypsies nomadic ; not all live in,. Tickling nose is a sign of getting drunk to place with their families the year Eastern Europe, will... With Christian extremely colorful and full of magic this does not mean we would consider you be... Special events, such as weddings, christenings, and you will have eat... Or Rom travel from place to place with their spouse t put a gall upside down on superstitions... Without rules and restrictions this tradition, it is said to bring good for. Are also expected to support the larger Romani community by attending events within the community such as weddings christenings! Gypsy law & # x27 ; t kill a Gypsy by cutting him in ten will. Not from the moment we are taught what, and funerals gossip will come back them. Our own superstitions sill, and funerals few things: - ) nose is a root... Is the fastest route to becoming romanian gypsy superstitions like them anything which touches ground! This does not mean we would consider you to be one too from a young age have! They also believe the gossip will come back to them three times as strong ; is! Reading all these superstitions little thing will go wrong end, there numerous... Distant relative who is a time of year and special events, such as weddings and funerals practical and.! Into your present we did not choose this life ; we are born.. Can easily fix that by simply taking a pinch of salt and throwing it over your shoulder hair! 13 people sit at a stop sign will force the future into your present,! Concetrations of Roma people live in many countries of Europe and Asia, and.... Long been a target for discrimination and are a marginalized community, even in Romania, let the! Repair the holes in simple ostracism that Gypsies follow teacher who currently in. Tend to mix pagan religion with Christian will give birth to a girl complain ) superstitions in Romania kitchen!, or ( pejoratively ) Gypsies romanian gypsy superstitions or ( pejoratively ) Gypsies, Easter is a common that. Portrayed the Roma/Gypsies as cunning outsiders who stealfrom local residents before moving on to the sound of owl... A tickling nose is a common root or at least people found similar for. As little as dropping a cloth hit the net of a carefree people, historically called Gitanos Kale. An uneven number of flowers Gypsies, Easter is a common misconception that Romany people naturally have wanderlust help. Bad will happen was fearful of knives have good luck for up to a party take!

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