“Gadje Gadjensa, Rom Romensa”

By on October 19th, 2012
Posted In: News

And here’s a short scene I’ve been looking forward to for awhile. Traditional Romani culture is extremely family-focused, and this particular vurdon (caravan) is very traditional.

Romani people are frequently used as plot devices in pulpy Euro and American stories, dispensing curses or telling fortunes to get the plot rolling before being conveniently forgotten. I don’t care to contribute to that pile so much as I can help it, so while this is not a book about Roma protagonists, this family gets at least one scene of uninterrupted self-sufficiency and a chance to address their own concerns.

Due to social divisions and a cultural preference for oral history, reliable inside sources on the life of the many and diverse Roma populations of the 18th century are virtually non-existent. But you can find some good information, compiled by, for, or with Roma people, at outreach sites like Roma in the Czech Republic and the [romani] Project, and help me correct what I’m getting wrong.


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Discussion ¬

  1. War Pig
    October 19, 2012 at 4:24 pm |

    Unfortunately, the reality-show “American Gypsies” did little for their reputation. In it, they acted like junior-league Mafioso, trying to corner the fortune-telling market by violence and intimidation.

    Have met real Roma in old Jugoslavia. Once they get to know you, they are friendly and hospitable. Plus they have some magnificent women. Make the Gabor sisters at their best look like Joan Rivers on a bad hair day, pre-plastic surgery.

    Once you have been accepted, they are fiercely loyal and expect the same in return. I stepped in to stop some local toughs picking on a couple of Roma kids (didn’t know they were Roma at the time) outside of Belgrade. I got skinned up some for my trouble, but was immediately adopted by the family as a result. We still correspond to this day, almost 30 years later. Great food, too. Those women can COOK. If you have to feed a gang and keep them happy, I guess the learning curve is pretty steep, but they pass with flying colors. And they really know how to PAR-TAY.