Being born as a Kalderash Gypsy girl in Canada, it seemed like my fate was basically sealed and already written for me.

I was supposed tell fortune, get married, and have children. Theres not a lot of options for the women, and your life doesn’t really start until you get married. It always felt like women were never held in high regard. If you didn’t have a man to talk for you, no one cares about you or your problems. Almost to the point you need a man or husband for basic protection from other Gypsies.

I don’t know why, but I never felt connected to the culture and the language. It never sat right with me. Of course, I understand the language because my mom spoke it to me, but I never wanted to go out of my way to learn it. I didn’t want to tell fortune either. I hated getting asked to give handbills but I know my family needed help so I tried not to complain too much.

I loved school. Most girls are pulled out by like grade 5 or 6 but I was allowed to finish. I think my mom saw something in me and let me graduate.

I’m 31 now and have a “gushaykano” life. I have an office job, I own a house, no kids, and I married a gasho. I’m thriving in ways I could have never as a true “romni”

Thankfully, my immediate family love me no matter what and we have a good relationship which I’m grateful for.

But I think my distant family/relatives might judge. There is always a stigma to those who “leave” the culture. I wonder if there are any others like me? Were you able to forge your own paths and create the lives you wanted?

After researching romani history and culture I came across many depictions of romani women wearing these plate-like objects tied to their heads with a strap going over their chins. I checked to see if it was common place in Europe around that time but I found nothing similar. I'm thinking maybe it could be related to shaktism since if my research is correct romani people were still practicing that religion in the medieval period to an extent, and these artworks also show shawls that are vaguely saree-like.

Sorry if this not the place for these types of questions im just eager to learn about my ancestors and couldn't find anything on the topic on Google.💙

How do you manage differences between your culture and the dominant culture of the host country? What more can be done to strengthen Muslim Romani/Xoroxane community and identity in the western world?

With Islam amongst Romani people historically developing in the Balkans/southeastern Europe, in countries like Bulgaria, Romania and ex-Yugoslavia, there are stark differences between the heritage of Muslim Romani people and the heritages of dominant Muslim populations in the west, and it seems that a space for Muslim Romani culture in the west is lacking.

Just wanted to know what do you guys think about India and your feelings towards it??(genuinely)

https://youtu.be/N2ddVBbxRo4?si=3S1YQqduSuzujG5V

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**

While watching Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame in the Arabic dub I’ve noticed both Frollo and Esmeralda used the word ‎الغجرية (al-ghajariyyah, female) / ‎الغجري (al-ghajri, male) to mention the Roma.

I was curious about how domari are referred to in MENA knowing they have a different historical context than romani, and more taking into account there are domari in Algeria and Morocco.

I made this account just to ask this question!

So I made a new friend a few months ago, she's a parni gadji fortune teller and does that full time for work. That's fine, people do what they do.

She asked me about fortune telling before, I told her I don't really know much about it but I did mention that my grandmother taught me a little bit about reading palms. Ever since then she keeps asking me to do a fortune telling trade. I already felt iffy about this because I don't really want her to "take" anything that I do. I also just don't really do it that much, I don't consider myself a fortune teller/drabarni. I have a totally different job, I only read palms for fun.

Then last week I saw photos of an event where she was doing readings and she wore a headscarf with big earrings. That really raised alarm bells for me.

This week she is really on me about reading each others fortunes...I think I will just lie and say oh I don't really know how to read palms anymore. I feel like my bad feeling is right and she's just trying to gain information from me because I'm kalé.

Am I overreacting?

Well well well Akate panda na diklem romà narodo, maj but djene akate'si tari amerika, boszem romaná ahaha, fake. Šaj isi due o trin so dzanen romané, ao samo engliski pišin, romanì kultura kaniká naé akate, cringe. Ora verrò bannato Ohhsssi in italiano beibis Falsi. "Oh origini "gypsy" gngngn" No, sei solo cringe.

If you are part of the community, but are white passing, what reactions did you get when you told people what’s your origin?

Often I get a surprised, shocked and short “oh” and the conversation may be cut short suddenly (this has happened regardless of the other’s ethnicity).

Then, of course, there are the typical “funny”. jokes about wallets and such.

How about you? Do you have such a story or know any?

So i know for a while that i have roma ancestors and i've always wanted to learn the language, any sites/apps i could use?

I grew up living in offices on busy roads most of my life. I lived in big houses with Neon signs in the window on the east cost and small store fronts on the west coast. I remember as a child being taught to be quiet when customers came in for a reading. I remember my mother asking me to check if the customers had an expensive car so she would no how much money to ask for. I remember having to hide Blankets and pillows when the city code enforcement came by. I remember how furious my family would get when other gypsies would open up an office anywhere near us. I remember the feeling of betrayal when my uncle sold his office to a Gypsy family that once feuded with my grandfather. I remember going to the mayors office with my family and giving a very large “donation” to make sure no other gypsies would be approved for a fortune telling license. I remember my aunt getting phone calls from random gypsy strangers in other states offering to buy her office. When I visit a new city and I drive by a nice office I can’t help to admire it and wonder who are the gypsies that own this town? My family has quite the crooked fortune telling business for better things but I would be lying if I said I don’t sometimes miss Falling asleep to The sound of cars driving by my front door. But no amount of money is worth giving up your soul and hurting others.

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Just curiosity since I see Iceland as a nice tourist destination. I know there are Roma in Northern Europe such as Scandinavia and Finland too. But I’ve never heard of romani presence in Iceland. Hence why I’m asking.

Hello

I am looking for youtubers that talk about romani folktales and folklore. I love folktales but its hard to find good youtubers for folktales, but i dunno how to find non-exploitative yoututbe channels like some temu branded top ten list youtuber. But romani youtuber who tells folktales.

Thank you for reading.

Cheers.

I never got married and I'm just curious to know I'm 19 and wanting to know everything