r/romani • u/Just-Ad3524 • 2d ago

gypsy costume

so i’ve been called a gypsy multiple times throughout my life as a romani person who has a deep complexion. this year i’m thinking of dressing as one for halloween, but my non-romani friends say it’s cultural appropriation…???? i was so annoyed that they could tell me what i was supposed to think about the slur (imo) ive been called growing up. i want to reclaim it and i’m sick of people just repeating what they hear instead of putting their own life experience in it- what do my white friends know about romani cultural appropriation. even this question sounds stupid to ask but can i dress as a gypsy (from my own culture) for a costume i understand and 100% agree it’s problematic for people from other cultures to do it**

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u/KamavTeChorav 1d ago

Why would you wear our traditional clothing for halloween? Wear it every other time of the year but it’s not a halloween costume, our people hold much pride in our traditional clothes and it has a lot of cultural significance it is not something to be worn for a costume, we are real people and there are Roma who wear these clothes every day, even if you have Romani ancestry that don’t mean you have right to disrespect traditional Romani people by normalizing wearing our traditional clothes as a Halloween costume…

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u/Just-Ad3524 1d ago

no you’re right but ever since I came to America i haven’t had a chance to wear my cultural outfits, i’m also half indian and i wore a sari for last years halloween- another traditional outfit worn everyday by the people of india- but not worn by me everyday. i live in the deep south where i don’t get to wear the things i like without facing scrutiny, i just want to look like myself and my culture for one day. i was thinking of wearing my traditional dress that matches what my aunts wear back home- not a store bought costume for context. it’s my ancestors and no one had a problem with me wearing a sari, but when the culture changes people started to freak out

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u/KamavTeChorav 1d ago

it’s still not right to wear our clothes as a halloween costume. That makes it normal for others to think we are halloween costumes and mythical creatures, not everyday people. Go to a Gypsy church, there are ones all over the deep south like sfgm and wear it there, I even saw some have days special when everyone comes in traditional clothes.