We are taught what is marime and what is not from the moment we are born. Once an item is classed as marime, we avoid or limit contact with that thing. Among other things, liquid which comes from the body (urine etc.), rodents, reptiles or anything which touches the ground are all marime. However, we do have generalised categories of marime things. The list of what we consider to be marime is endless. Being marime - or coming i nto contact with marime things - can cause a range of conditions including bad luck, sickness, disease and death. The vast majority of Romany laws revolve around the belief that the universe is separated into what is clean and what is dirty ( marime ). Contrary to popular belief, Romany life is anything but carefree. We can be belittled, ostracized and excommunicated for something as little as dropping a cloth. We believe that observing our ‘laws’ is what distinguishes us from the Gorgers (non-Gypsies). To be accepted by other Romany people, we must follow strict set rules and customs. In fact, one Gypsy may consider another Gypsy not to actually be a Gypsy if they do not follow our rituals. If you have a distant relative who is a Gypsy, this does not mean we would consider you to be one too. Gypsies are highly suspicious of outsiders and vet everyone who they come into contact with. Contrary to popular belief, we did not choose this life we are born Gypsies.Īnother common misconception is the belief that Gypsies openly accept anyone into their networks this is false.
We also have our own language, Romani, which is descended from Sanskrit. We have our own beliefs, culture and traditions. We are an ethnic race who can trace our origins back to India. Irish T ravellers and people who work on fairgrounds are not Gypsies. The truth is, that for the last 1000 years, we have moved from country to country largely beca use of persecution and slavery.īeing a Romany Gy psy is not the same as being a Traveller.
It is a common misconception that Romany people natur ally have wanderlust. You can be ‘settled’ in a house and still be Romany (Romany is the proper term for a Gypsy). In fact, our lives are quite the opposite.Īlthough many are, not all Romany Gypsies nomadic not all live in trailers, tents or wagons. In reality, being a real Romany Gypsy is not a life of lackadaisical sea-shore living. 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. The image of the Gypsy conjures up ideas of a carefree people, who live life without rules and restrictions.
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