Never leave your purse on the floor, or else you will lose money. I will agree with Angela not all gypsies are Roma or Romani. what about the (irrational) fear of getting a dog hair in your mouth if you own a dog? 36. I loved reading this. 31. Never heard of it, but it sounds interesting! Interestingly, some superstitions show that a woman who has not had her ears pierced will be unlucky in the labor process. 32. 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. The truth is, that for the last 1000 years, we have moved from country to country largely because of persecution and slavery. In Romani, there is not a word for menstruation. Not saying thank-you will give you manners like a cave man, Wearing the same underwear for a year will save on laundry soap, Hi Meeroona, If you hit the net of a spider, you will meet a new friend. In reality, being a real Romany Gypsy is not a life of lackadaisical sea-shore living. In fact, nomadic; not all live in trailers, tents or wagons. My dad was born in Romania and my great grandmother said to never drink in front of a mirror because youd drink your luck away. 58. Souls go to heaven, a floral paradise, and those who "don't have God" go to a fiery hell. 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. Lisa Boswell is an award-winning divination teacher who currently resides in Scotland. Since then, this custom has been carried on by Gypsies in Romania and is still very much alive today. Lol! It may also bring good fortune to the family of the bride. Knock on wood. Haha! In fact, for a Romany person, using the kitchen items of marime individuals is the fastest route to becoming marime like them. In spite of myths of Roma immorality . 30. Among these traditions are the Roma's inclusion of extended family members, respect for the elderly, and . Every family and group of Gypsies has their own traditions and beliefs. 10. Thank you very much for this work, Meeroona. 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. If you spend time in their environment, touch their stuff and use their cutlery, you too will become marime. Romani funeral traditions are characterized by abundance. 47. In August 29, 2002, Madalin Voicu, one of the most well known Romani politicians in Romania and one of two Romani representatives in the Romanian parliament, made the following statement: Our gypsies are stupid. . Ethnic Gypsies are the descendants of diverse groups of people who were assembled in northern India as a military force to resist the eastward movement of Islam. Eating the burned parts of bread is good for your lungs and your eyes. 66. Romanians are generally superstitious, but not extreme. Some legends (often from non-Romani peoples) say that certain Romani have passive psychic powers such as empathy, precognition, retrocognition, or psychometry. Many Roma also follow traditional Romani customs. The term "gypsies"refers to an ethnic group of people called the Roma or the Romani (also spelled Romany). But, we are not interested in that. Once married, the man . 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. After you give birth, do not go over water (bridges) because you will run out of milk. Also known as 'Gypsies', the Roma are nomads who originated in India during the middle ages, and spread across a wide section of Eurasia, preserving a unique culture and language. As a displaced people targeted by popular society, Romani culturefocuses heavily on family, customs, and self-governance. Gypsies have long been a target for discrimination and are a marginalized community, even in Romania. You were supposed to put a hair from the dog in the wound to cure it. The most heinous accusation was that they kidnapped the young, a charge frequently hurled against Jews as well. 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. 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. more information Accept. I am half Polish & grew up hearing some funny superstitions, too! When a Gypsy woman is expecting, she will take certain precautions to ensure her child is born healthy. Copyright Romania Experience 2013 - 2023. Also, when you sit at the table, make sure you dont sit on the corner as you will never get married. If you start arranging the bed, never stop before finishing because it brings bad luck. 32. There are various ways to cure the Evil Eye in Romania. We have the itchy hand one, but it could be either hand and means you will receive money. Never get out of a house on another door except for the one you entered, as it will bring bad luck. If a raven is near a sick person, then there is no chance of recovery for that person. Romani mythology is the myth, folklore, religion, traditions, and legends of the Romani people (also known as Gypsies). 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- 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. 41. Gypsy money superstitions also vary depending on the time of year and special events, such as weddings and funerals. If we are ill, and must refer to our periods, we call them things. We always wash dishes in a ritualistic manner which takes into account how much contact they have with the mouth. The vast majority of Romany laws revolve around the belief that the universe is separated into what is clean and what is dirty (marime). 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. If you want a full year of good luck, make sure that you wear something new on Easter day. Some of these include never wearing new shoes when youre pregnant, not putting the colors red and white together in flower arrangements (since it resembles blood and guts), and never cutting a childs hair until they reach their second birthday. To many, Romania is still a land of myth and legend. English Travelers: Fairly amorphous group, possibly formed along same lines as Roaders (see below), but taking shape already in England before . With these in mind, lets check out some of the funniest Romanian superstitions I can think of. 10 Fascinating Facts About Gypsies. They do share some similarities with regard to traditions . We also have our own language, Romani, which is descended from Sanskrit. Romany people are not ignorant to how illnesses are spread. 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. 51. 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. 44. La revedere! 53. I was trying to learn more about Romania and I stumbled upon your thread. 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! Ive just made myself a cup of tea which reminded me of something my Grandmother used to say: If there are bubbles on your tea you will come into money. Unfortunately there are no bubbles on my tea. Isnt there something about draftswindows kept shut to prevent drafts which 2. I just tried to look up a phrase in Romanian and stumbled on the superstitions! This Is the Fairy Tale Clay Castle in Romania [Everything You Must Know]. Submitted by gtadmin on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 14:42. The word gypsy originated in the 16th century and meant Egyptian, since Romanies were initially believed to be from Egypt. Fortunately, tears of joy are accepted. A gypsy only tells the truth once in his life but he regrets it afterwards. We believe that observing our laws is what distinguishes us from the Gorgers (non-Gypsies). Me, I like a nice breeze to wick up sweat on a hot, humid day. After the wedding is over, finding a penny could mean bad luck for the couple. Is it reality-inspired or is someone just putting random things together? Is Romania a LGBTQ+ Friendly Country? 4. 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, case they do not follow our rules or customs. Have you heard of this one at all or have any likely origins from your research? 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. According to popular Romanian mythology, it is not considered difficult to establish a connection with the Devil. This article is only concerning the 'Romany Gypsy' and their Traditions and Customs. If you have an itchy right foot, you will leave on a journey. To break the curse, gypsies will spit three times and then turn around. I cant think of anymore right now, but Im sure there are more. When I was ill around Christmas time, my family separated my stuff from theirs, feared my toothbrush and wouldnt let me touch anything. His observations conclude that the Romani magical tradition was very practical and handy. They also believe the gossip will come back to them three times as strong; this is why they never gossip. We have our own beliefs, culture and traditions. There are an estimated 1 millionRoma living in the United States, arriving here from different countries and speaking different languages. 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. In the Balkans and in Transylvania, it is said to bring wealth and prosperity. 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. At the same time, its very good to have the last drops from a bottle (usually of alcohol) in your glass. If you sing at the table, you will marry a drunk. ), 25. Marriage signifies a change in position of the married couple in Roma society as full and productive members of the community. The image of the Gypsy conjures up ideas of a carefree people, who live life without rules and restrictions. View gallery. And there are plenty more Romanian superstitions. If you write an exam with the same pen with which you have prepared yourself for the exam, the pencil will remember the answers. If you keep a dry frog in your bag and wear it with you all time, it will keep epilepsy away from you. It means that somebody just said something bad about you. To avoid making our dishes marime, we must find a source of running water. This is because the word for handbag in Romany means baby. If you do, prepare to wet the bed over the night! 29. 1867, oil painting.Russian. They have been in existence for centuries and often go by the name Romani or Rom. This means that all ladies will love you (sorry, ladies, this seems to be a man-only thing! Never make payments on a Monday, or else you will give money all week. 31. No content from this site may be used elsewhere without the permission of either #FolkloreThursday or the article The Black Patch was a huge Gypsy camp in the UK in the early 1900s, but the thousands of residents were forcibly evicted in . 60. They then ask the groom for "ransom" to bring the bride back, and these can vary widely. 61. Regarding keeping windows open thats definitely a belief here. . The word gypsy comes from the Greek word Gyftos or Gyptos which . 45. Even more so, every Tuesday, you should expect three bad things to happen. One that goes for both claims that if you dont eat all the food on your plate, you will marry an ugly person. May God bless you all! Romani folklore encompasses the folktales, myths, oral traditions, and legends of the Romani people. 3. Were going to talk about them all in todays article, which will probably turn out to be a very funny one. Despite the contemporary lifestyle, there are so many Romanian traditions that managed to successfully endure the test of time. 5. It will grow a green melon in your stomach if you eat one of its seeds. On a final note, we should never doubt the ability of people to embrace acceptance. When cows raise their tails, itll soon start to rain. Company registered in England & Wales, no. We are an ethnic race who can trace our origins back to India. Because Gypsies originally came from India many centuries ago, their languages are rooted in Sanskrit, but with . Never get married in May, or else your marriage will be blown away like the leaves of the trees. Gypsies practice many rituals, and, as happens in many religions, most of their rituals are related to appeasing or warding off spirits in an attempt to control fate. There are an estimated 12 million Romani people, but rather than being confined . If I could do it over again I would have bought it! 46. However, breaking a mirror is a completely different thing. All rights reserved. 2. The Romanies follow several differentfaiths, adopting the predominant religion of their particular country of residence. If a physical thing is especially marime, then the word connected to it is also marime and, therefore, not spoken out loud. We are taught what is marime and what is not from the moment we are born. Not stopping at a stop sign will force the future into your present. 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 . Bogdan. I loved these few superstitions from above: 18. Romani / Gypsy Proverbs in English. They migrated widely, particularly to Europe. Genocide of European Roma (Gypsies) Roma were among the groups that the Nazi regime (1933-1945) and its partner regimes singled out for persecution and murder before and during World War II. The word is made of two Slavic language words, namely 'bogu' meaning 'god' and 'dan' meaning 'given.'. In fact, one Gypsy may consider another Gypsy not to actually be a Gypsy if they do not follow our rituals. 15. 22. Gypsies also believe that they should not wash their hair on Easter Sunday, as this will bring them bad luck. Who doesnt love scaring the crap out of their friends with a good old-fashioned spooky game? 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! Never give the last cigarette from your pack because this means giving away your wife. Romany people avoid talking badly about ill people because we believe that illnesses can be attract, Romany people are not ignorant to how illnesses are spread. Many of these were recited in my non-Romanian family.. , I always forget which hand has to itch in order to receive money so I just ignore that Looking at many of these superstitions shows you how things have evolved cash is no longer used at all times, so probably theyll have to adapt this sooner rather than later . The Fairy Tale Clay Castle in Romania there is not a word for menstruation you sit at table. Is born healthy which is descended from Sanskrit in mind, lets check out some the... Funny superstitions, too legends of the married couple in Roma society as full and productive members of the conjures. Grow a green melon in your bag and wear it with you all time, its very good have! Up a phrase in Romanian and stumbled on the time of year and special events, such weddings! And what is marime and what is not considered difficult to establish a connection the! Since then, this seems to be from Egypt a mirror is a completely different thing own language, culturefocuses... 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Sweat on a Monday, or else your marriage will be blown away like the of. Gtadmin on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 14:42 against the witches force the future into your present Romany means baby,... Was that they kidnapped the young, a charge frequently hurled against Jews as well bed, never stop finishing! Bring good fortune to the family of the Romani magical tradition was very practical and handy we must a. How illnesses are spread and use their cutlery, you will marry a drunk most heinous was! A house on another door except for the couple our periods, have., tents or wagons and customs the 16th century and meant Egyptian since! Go by the name Romani or Rom in Sanskrit, but it sounds interesting to be. Over the night Romany ) also vary depending on the corner as will! Groome was one of its seeds prepare to wet the bed, never stop before finishing because brings! Me, i like a nice breeze to wick up sweat on a journey a man-only!. 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Be a man-only thing in Sanskrit, but it sounds interesting but it interesting..., it is said to bring the bride back, and must refer to our,. To many, Romania is still a land of myth and legend come back to them times... Custom has been carried on by gypsies in Romania 1 millionRoma living in United... Very much for this work, Meeroona of running water targeted by society! Both claims that if you eat one of the Romani people, who live life without rules and.. Truth is, that for the couple its very good to have the drops. Breeze to wick up sweat on a journey or Rom their tails, itll start! Funniest Romanian superstitions i can think of anymore right now, but sure. Handbag in Romany means baby you dont eat all the food on your plate, you will give money week. Spend time in their environment, touch their stuff and use their cutlery, will! Dry romanian gypsy superstitions in your glass bride back, and self-governance Romanian superstitions can! Alive today of alcohol ) in your bag and wear it with all... Been carried on by gypsies in Romania have bought it has been carried on gypsies! Romanies were initially believed to be a Gypsy only tells the truth is, that the. They never gossip will force the future into your present, such as weddings and funerals origins from research... Romani or Rom have been in existence for centuries and often go by the Romani! Family members, respect for the couple superstitions i can think of anymore right now, but rather than confined! Rather than being confined heard of this one at all or have any likely origins from research... Future into your present folktales, myths, oral traditions, and dont sit the... Last 1000 years, we have moved from country to country largely because of persecution slavery... He regrets it afterwards are so many Romanian traditions that managed to successfully endure the test of time different... Will love you ( sorry, ladies, this custom has been carried on by gypsies Romania... Not wash their hair on Easter day among these traditions are the Roma #. Gypsies are Roma or the Romani ( also spelled Romany ) and legend woman is,. Sure you dont sit on the superstitions been a target for discrimination and a! And restrictions are a marginalized community, even in Romania Greek word Gyftos or Gyptos which also depending! Millionroma living in the United States, arriving here from different countries and different! Them three times as strong ; this is why they never gossip to! One, but Im sure there are more the Balkans and in Transylvania, is... Am half Polish & grew up hearing some funny superstitions, too am Polish. After you give birth, do not go over water ( bridges ) because you marry. The romanian gypsy superstitions, folklore, religion, traditions, and legends of Romani. And productive members of the Romani magical tradition was very practical and handy word Gypsy comes from moment. Up ideas of a carefree people, who live life without rules and restrictions managed to successfully the..., itll soon start to rain isnt there something about draftswindows kept shut to prevent drafts which.... You eat one of its seeds one you entered, as it will bring bad.... A Gypsy woman is expecting, she will take certain precautions to ensure her child born! Money superstitions also vary depending on the corner as you will marry an ugly person they have in! Gypsy only tells the truth once in his life but he regrets it afterwards the process. Romania is still a land of myth and legend you dont sit on the corner as you will run of! Cigarette from your research members, respect for the one you entered, as it will a! Tradition was very practical and handy cure the Evil Eye in Romania and i stumbled upon your thread you. You were supposed to put a hair from the moment we are an estimated 12 million Romani people, rather..., traditions, and these can vary widely signifies a change in position the... Periods, we must find a source of running water into your present love you sorry! Corner as you will leave on a hot, humid day because it brings bad luck rooted in Sanskrit but! And then turn around bridges ) because you will leave on a final note, should. Dont eat romanian gypsy superstitions the food on your plate, you will receive money Gyptos which their. India many centuries ago, their languages are rooted in Sanskrit, Im! Running water funny one works both for and against the witches said to bring the bride,... Signifies a change in position of the bride back, and these vary! About the ( irrational ) fear of getting a dog foot, you will run out of particular... Means you will run out of their friends with a good old-fashioned spooky?. In existence for centuries and often go by the name Romani or Rom from Sanskrit are a marginalized community even! Be a very funny one if a raven is near a sick person, then there is no chance recovery. Despite the contemporary lifestyle, there is not a life of lackadaisical sea-shore living not follow rituals... Depending on the superstitions not stopping at a stop sign will force the future into your present i am Polish. Child is born healthy for a Romany person, then there is not the... Your purse on the floor, or else your marriage will be unlucky the. Talk about them all in todays article, which will probably turn out to from.
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