The Romany Culture and Language

Mahrime (MAH-ree-may) (also Mokadi (mo-KAH-dee)) -- "Unclean and impure in a spiritual way." Ritual cleanliness is of great importance to the Rom, and certain things, creatures and people are believed to be tainted. These include certain animals -- especially cats, rats, foxes (called mokadi jook, "dirty dog"), and to an extent dogs (which are never supposed to enter a vardo or be allowed to lick one's face). Also tainted are blood (especially menstrual blood), water a dog has drank from or a woman has stepped over, and a variety of other items and situations. Some people are also considered mahrime, especially Gaje (and any Rom with a lot of Gaje heritage), Pikies (Gypsies expelled from Romani society forever for their crimes) and Hedgecrawlers (Travelers without Romani blood like the Irish Tinkers). Mulo (ghosts) and faeries are also most mahrime. All these things may sound like mere superstitions, but they have kept the Rom healthier than other peoples throughout history, especially during the Black Plague. The code that regulates what is and is not mahrime is called Romipen, literally "Gypsyness".

Phral (FROLL) -- Literally "brother" in some dialects of Romanes, it means a full-blooded Gypsy, a True Rom -- a very good thing to be. Used as both an adjective and a noun.

Prikaza (pree-KOZ-ah) -- "Bad Luck." Prikaza is the result of coming into contact with mahrime things, creatures or people -- it follows any who are tainted (there are, of course, ways to undo it). Actions that cause prikaza include bringing a dog into a vardo, touching or even coming into contact with a cat, becoming too close to the Gaje and most of all mentioning any and all bodily fluids and functions -- a strict taboo. The color red in its primary, basic shade is also very prikaza -- this shade of red dye almost never appears in Gypsy clothing, and you will never see a vardo painted that color.

Rom A person of Gypsy heritage and 2) specifically married Gypsy man (a married Gypsy woman is a romni). Names for a Rom in other languages include Cigan (French & Russian), Cigany (Hungarian), Zigeuner (German) and Zingaresca (Italian).

Roma, the (ro-MAH) -- The name that most Gypsies use for themselves as a race and people. Roma only refer to themselves as Gypsies when around the Gaje. The name "Gypsy" stems from a swindle pulled by some of the first Rom in Western Europe in the 1400's -- a Rom Baro (chieftain), knowing his people would otherwise be persecuted in Europe for being very different, obtained free passage for his people across Europe by claiming that they were the deposed rulers of Little Egypt, driven from their country by heathens and forced to travel endlessly in penance. It worked for several decades before the Gaje finally caught on, and in English the abbreviation 'Gyptian, or Gypsy, stuck. The Rom originally came from northern India (leaving around the 10th century), and have since developed a unique wandering lifestyle and culture while traveling the world.

Romanes (RO-mah-ness or RAH-mah-ness) -- The language of the Roma (related closely to Sanskrit). Romanes has a huge amount of dialects because the Roma have been scattered across the world and often adopt Gaje words into the language.

Romani (RO-mah-nee or RAH-mah-nee) (also Romany) -- An adjective for anything related to the Rom (ex. Romani carpentry). Sometimes used as synonomous with Romanes or occasionally as a plural form of Rom -- Romanies.

Rom Baro (ROM BAH-ro) (also Bulibasha (boo-lee-BOSH-ah)) -- Literally "big man," the Rom Baro is the leader of a vitsa (clan) or kumpania (tribe, made up of several clans). Though they often call themselves kings around the Gaje, the position of Rom Baro is an elected one. He is usually chosen by a council of Phuri (Elders) for a combination of cleverness, experience and wisdom. He is advised by the Phuri Dae (FOO-ree DIE-ee), or Wise Woman, who is a matron, spiritual advisor and accountant (collecting all the money earned and doling it out when needed). The Rom Baro makes the big decisions after being advised by her and the other Phuri and also serves as a representative when dealing with both the Gaje and Roma of other clans.

Vardo (VAHR-doe) (or vurdon) -- The brightly painted and elaborately carved wagon around which Romani life traditionally centers. They serve as both transportation and home. Pulled by one or two horses depending on size, they vary greatly in form and style from place to place. (They weren't actually in common use in the 16th century, but we ignore that, especially since there are so many vardos at our faire that are used as booths).

Wuzho (WOO-zhoh) -- "Pure and untainted," the opposite of mahrime. Certain creatures are revered as wuzho, including hedgehogs, horses and all scavengers (who are honored for recycling that which has died), as well as some people, including most Roma.

The basic unit of Romani society is the Familia (fa-MEEL-yah). It is made up of an older married couple, their unmarried sons and daughters, their married sons and their wives and children (in most Romani groups a woman joins the familia of her husband when she marries). Individual households within the familia are called Tsera (SAIR-ah), literally "tent". We have members of several familii (pl. form) represented in our group, but the most prevalent in our group are Familia Borodin and Familia Zarovitch.

Several closely related familii make up the Vitsa (VEET-sah), or "Clan." Vitsi (pl.) vary greatly in size and traditions, but one's connection to the vitsa (literally "vine" in Romanes) is the most important social tie a Rom has. Most traveling vitsi follow a circuit from town to town that may take a year or more to complete, and almost all stop traveling for the winter, whiling away the time by building and repairing vardos, making crafts to sell to the Gaje, etc. Our group is made up of two very closely related vitsi, the Vitsa of the Fiery Dawn (led by Nikolai) and the Vitsa of the Midnight Sands (led by Kyrill).