I remember stories from many years before I was born about a Gypsy band that camped near my hometown Mt. Moriah in north Missouri. There wasn't much worth remembering, but then, there wasn't much to tell in those days. They came. They camped. They moved on.
A certain number of small pigs and chickens seemed to have moved on with them.
That is the brief story told over and over by local folks everywhere about Gypsies.
Despite all the stories, minor thieving may not be truly characteristic of Gypsies, even though so many stories suggest otherwise. That bad impression is one of the reasons Gypsies don't call themselves, Gypsies. The other reason is that they know themselves as, Roma.
There is general agreement that the Roma fled northwest India from invading forces more than a millennium ago. They never settled anywhere. The never-ending road became their permanent home. They were first mentioned in Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Europeans didn't know quite where these dusky strangers came from. They guessed they might be Egyptians and promptly edited, Egyptian, into, Gypsy.
The greatest number of Roma still travel the byways of central Europe. In modern times they can be found nearly anywhere in the world.
Sometimes tolerated. Often driven off. Never welcome.
The history, language, and culture of the Roma is impossible to specify precisely. They've wandered for centuries through countless lands absorbing a scattering of local words and ideas along the way. It's amazing they've kept a common identity through it all.
Those alone are, Rom. Together, they are Roma - no matter where they are or, when they are. Their allegiance is to family and the traditional laws and customs of Roma.
They are a Nation without a land.
Nations often assimilate into other Nations.
The Roma haven't and probably never will. They distrust outsiders as much as outsiders distrust them.
The name, Roma, comes from the word, Rom, which means: Man. The Roma, like so many tribes everywhere, call themselves, Man - or more to the point: Human. Those who are not Roma they call, Gadje, which translates roughly as, Bumpkin, or Yokel.
The gulf created by disdaining anyone not, Roma, as, Gadje, explains a great deal about problems between Roma and locals. Stealing or swindling outsiders isn't really a crime; it's not like the rubes are Human.
Even so, trading with the Gadje is perfectly acceptable. Getting a sharp deal out of trade with the Gadje is not only acceptable; it's all but honorable. If the Gadje notice any of this it doesn't stop them from buying Roma skills and crafting's: custom tin-goods; pots; colorful woven cloths, sundry repairs; tools; novelties - and for the hopefully-gullible, fortune-telling.
The Roma were likely also instrumental in the development of flamenco music & dance. Their unmeditated influence in styles and arts are many. Their most enduring influence is in the name they hate, Gypsy. Gypsy, is now the word we usually use to describe nearly any sort of free, rambling, romantic life.
That's a contribution the Roma never intended, nonetheless, it's their doing.
The idea of Gypsy is appealing to many of us.
Me too, even though I rarely leave home.
It's an idea that seems commonsensible to the young in all of us. How wonderful to pack-up and move on, with new adventures 'round every turn of the road. The fact that it's impractical doesn't dim the imagined glory.
You may be stuck at home with the responsibilities of a responsible life but wouldn't it be nice to roam free as secure in serendipity as salary.
Reality intrudes.
The dream lingers.
They came. They camped. They moved on.