The gypsies are a mystery to many visitors to Eastern Europe. They are a mystery to Eastern Europeans as well. The gypsies are known as a traveling group of dark-skinned people that inhabit the cities and countryside of the region. Unfortunately, the word "gypsy" has a negative connotation: many Eastern Europeans see them as a lesser society of thieves and unkempt people. However, the gypsies are much more than that.
Ancient India to the Ottoman Empire to Destination Europe
Where did the gypsies originate and what language do they speak? Most people think they speak a form of a dialect of Romanian or a Balkan language, but in fact, they speak a language that is related to contemporary Indian languages. The language is called Romany, and the common Eastern European word for the gypsies is Roma.
Therefore, the gypsies originated in India. In the 14th century, the gypsies migrated from India, traveling throughout current day Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran to reach the Ottoman Empire, or now as it is known, Turkey. Once they entered Turkey, the gypsies continued to migrate up through the Balkan countries. That is how the gypsies settled in the Eastern European region.
However, the gypsies were far from free. In the Ottoman Empire, they were not allowed to go into the towns, but they were left alone in the countryside. They had to make a living to support themselves, so they took up odd professions such as what one would see in a circus or traveling festival. The gypsies trained horses and dancing bears for shows. They also told fortunes, danced and played music. In general, they were the entertainers of the region. Many gypsies were also metalworkers.
Family History of Ethnic Conflict
The gypsies also made a living as thieves. This is why the idea of gypsies as thieves has been passed down in family histories from generation to generation. For example, in Estonia, where plenty of gypsies now live, the word for gypsy is "mustlane" loosely translated to "dirty person."
Gypsies were persecuted by the Nazis during World War II: about 500,000 gypsies were murdered in concentration camps around Europe. Hitler targeted them along with Jews, homosexuals and others as those who were not a part of the Aryan race.
Today, the gypsies continue to live a hard existence. They continue to roam throughout Eastern Europe, especially in tourist destinations. Some continue to tell fortunes. Most continue to live a carefree lifestyle of dance and music, and migration. Though gypsy children can mostly attend school with other white European children, they often do not integrate well enough into the culture to be accepted. To this day, gypsies are a shunned ethnic group, which is not so different from their humble beginnings in the 14th century.
This article, History of Gypsies in the 18th Century to Today, discusses gypsy music and World War II.
Check out the Suite 101 Eastern European blog.
Source:
Hewitt, Cameron. "The Gypsy Question" Rick Steves' Europe -- viewed July 31, 2010
Jennifer Ciotta - Jennifer Ciotta is the author of I, Putin (Vladimir Putin novel): http://vladimirputinnovel.com.
Join the Conversation