Tatcho Drom

Journeying Journals of a Jolly Journeyman

What is a prearranged marriage (or arranged marriage) in my culture? It’s when either family, clan leaders, matchmaker, parents or other clan members with authority arrange an endogamous marriage between a man and woman. In this marriage arrangement, the spouses do not make the choice of who they would marry, but due to its endogamous nature, it is most likely someone from the same clan. If not the same clan, the same culture.

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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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