Tatcho Drom

Journeying Journals of a Jolly Journeyman

The academic world has been attempting to rationalise the origins of Roma for many decades. There is a general consensus, that is based on both linguistic and DNA sciences, that Roma originated from northern India. This, supposed, Indian origins for Romany people was seen as a breakthrough for anthropologists. Why? Because for hundreds of years the Roma people have been an extremely reclusive people, so much so that they have been considered as a group “that don’t want in… as far as traditional anthropological categories are concerned” (Macmillan Library Reference, 1999, s.v. “Peripatetics”).

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It often goes without say that we all think differently and process information in our own unique way. As do scientists – the people who bring us the information that influence, and may even define, many of our realities.

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The internet is expanding at incredible rates. With the onset of globalisation we have the world uniting in ways that are both beneficial in numerous ways, but also deceitful in subtle ways. The benefits of the internet are apparent to all:

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Click HERE to download a zip file containing a variety of Romani flags I designed for your use. Please check out the “Read Me Please” file for important information for the use of the graphic flags.

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As in most civilised social systems, there are formalities that need to be upheld to mark various passings of age and employ a form of order in our societies. The following is a list of some of the rituals and ceremonies that mark important seasons in the lives of our Vlax-Kalderashi natsia (a Romani nation).

These rituals naturally change and adapt over time to suit our ever changing societies, but the Romany essence remains the same. For example, a generation ago, the adult age status was changed from 13 years of age to 20 years of age. Can you imagine the difficulties of having 13 year old boys and girls marrying in this day and age? Yikes!

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Greetings! Below you will find an essay I wrote in 2008. The essay is not the most academic since it has an emotional drive to it that I couldn’t seem to block! I guess the topic is one that I’m very passionate about.

I hope you may enjoy this essay that I wrote in attempts to advocate for the Romani Gypsy people from a Romani Gypsy stand. With the burden of representing the Roma and in attempts to advocate for our cultural rights I present you with:

Eurocentrism and Its Impact on Romani Gypsies

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