Can anyone help me learn about the gypsy heritage?

Question

I don't want to disrespect any gypsy people but I would like to know all I can. I have heard a few legends circulating around where I live and I'm trying to write about gypsies. I love the stories that I was told about them and really would like to know more about their culture and about individual clans.

Answer 1

Gypsies will Gype' you! They wear colorful clothes AN SMOKE AN DrInK & are compulsive stealers

Answer 2

Basicly the orininated from india..that moved in to europe... at one period in time they split into 2 groups one was called the  ROMA people the  other was called GYFTI people.. where we get the word gypsie from..here is a site which has alot of information..my best friend is a roma ...they are truely beutifull people.

Answer 3

The web site that Zoltan mentioned is very good.

I think the best book about Gypsy history and customs is, "In the life of a Romany Gypsy," by Manfri Frederick Wood, published in 1973. The author, a Gypsy himself, tells about his life, what he has learned from it, and what he has learned about Gypsies, in general.

That book, not very large, is expensive, $89 and up on EBay, because it's rare. I suggest trying to borrow a copy from somewhere, by Interlibrary Loan, or maybe asking Ian Hancock about it.

The best person to ask questions about Gypsies and their history is Ian Hancock, who is also a Gypsy himself, and is a Professor at the University of Texas. His email address is:

<xulaj(at)mail.utexas.edu>

Answer 4

Try reading "Bury Me Standing" - a good book on gypsies.