International Social Work:International Social Work:Gypsies (Romani)Gypsies (Romani)

Raul TosityRaul Tosity

04/13/201104/13/2011

BackgroundBackground LanguageLanguage Worldview/Religious BeliefsWorldview/Religious Beliefs Health Beliefs/PracticesHealth Beliefs/Practices Male-Female/Kinship/Social RelationshipsMale-Female/Kinship/Social Relationships Birth/ChildrenBirth/Children DeathDeath Client Teaching/Dietary ConsiderationsClient Teaching/Dietary Considerations..

Source: Gypsies – Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious Reference Manual, 1995-2005Source: Gypsies – Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious Reference Manual, 1995-2005

BackgroundBackground

Originated in Northern India. They migrated all over the world. Originated in Northern India. They migrated all over the world. One group migrated south through Persia and Armenia are the One group migrated south through Persia and Armenia are the

ancestors of European Gypsies. They called themselves ancestors of European Gypsies. They called themselves Rom(a). When the group entered Western Europe, they Rom(a). When the group entered Western Europe, they represented themselves as Egyptians, thus the word “Gypsy”. represented themselves as Egyptians, thus the word “Gypsy”.

Suffered severe discrimination (Nazi Germany).Suffered severe discrimination (Nazi Germany). Worldwide, around 12 million Roma.Worldwide, around 12 million Roma. Each Romani has four loyalties: tribe/nation (natsia); kumpania, Each Romani has four loyalties: tribe/nation (natsia); kumpania,

vista and extended family.vista and extended family. Kumpanias= groups of extended families that occupy a specific Kumpanias= groups of extended families that occupy a specific

geographic area and travel together.geographic area and travel together. Each kumpania has a leader.Each kumpania has a leader. Kumpanias are further divided into vistas, which are groups of Kumpanias are further divided into vistas, which are groups of

extended patrilinear families (it can have over 200 families).extended patrilinear families (it can have over 200 families).

Background contd.Background contd.

Romani have their own system of lawRomani have their own system of law Romani pay little attention to the mainstream justice systemRomani pay little attention to the mainstream justice system Infractions are handled by 2-5 adult males selected for their Infractions are handled by 2-5 adult males selected for their

statusstatus Romani do not register with the military serviceRomani do not register with the military service Most have no birth certificates or marriage licensesMost have no birth certificates or marriage licenses Mortality and morbidity rates are much higher than the Mortality and morbidity rates are much higher than the

general population.general population. Poverty, poor nutrition, infectious diseases and avoidance of Poverty, poor nutrition, infectious diseases and avoidance of

health care facilities.health care facilities. High rate of illiteracy.High rate of illiteracy. Mainly Romany speak their own language and the language Mainly Romany speak their own language and the language

of the country where they resideof the country where they reside

Worldview/Religious BeliefsWorldview/Religious Beliefs

Romani way of life directed by rules known as Romaniya.Romani way of life directed by rules known as Romaniya. Interaction with non-Romanies drains one’s spiritual energy Interaction with non-Romanies drains one’s spiritual energy

and must be restored by spending time within an all-Romani and must be restored by spending time within an all-Romani envt.envt.

One God is worshiped, called One God is worshiped, called DelDel. The Devil is recognized as . The Devil is recognized as O’Bengh.O’Bengh.

The world is viewed from a dual perspective: Del vs. O’Bengh, The world is viewed from a dual perspective: Del vs. O’Bengh, good vs. evil, pure vs. polluted, childhood vs. adulthood.good vs. evil, pure vs. polluted, childhood vs. adulthood.

Old age defined by inability to no longer bear children.Old age defined by inability to no longer bear children. Strong beliefs in supernatural powers and ancestor spirits.Strong beliefs in supernatural powers and ancestor spirits. Belief that nothing happens by chance.Belief that nothing happens by chance. Living things are to only be killed for food.Living things are to only be killed for food. Pain is highly expressed.Pain is highly expressed.

Health Beliefs/PracticesHealth Beliefs/Practices

Dominant health belief of pollution and rejection (concept of Dominant health belief of pollution and rejection (concept of marime).marime).

Human body divided into two halves: upper half (clean) vs. lower Human body divided into two halves: upper half (clean) vs. lower half (dirty).half (dirty).

All non-Romani are impure and disease-prone.All non-Romani are impure and disease-prone. Public restrooms, offices, hospitals are sources of disease.Public restrooms, offices, hospitals are sources of disease. Little modesty regarding the upper body.Little modesty regarding the upper body. In the home, furniture may be covered in plastic and at least one In the home, furniture may be covered in plastic and at least one

chair may be reserved for seating non-Romani visitors.chair may be reserved for seating non-Romani visitors. Non-Romani visitor will only be allowed in the front of the home. Non-Romani visitor will only be allowed in the front of the home. Clothing from the upper and lower body should be placed in Clothing from the upper and lower body should be placed in

separate bags and never washed together.separate bags and never washed together. Men’s and women’s clothing should never be washed together.Men’s and women’s clothing should never be washed together. Romani only come to hospitals for childbirth or critical health Romani only come to hospitals for childbirth or critical health

problems.problems. Color red associated with good health/happiness.Color red associated with good health/happiness. An overweight person is considered healthy/fortunate. Thin An overweight person is considered healthy/fortunate. Thin

individuals are considered ill or poor.individuals are considered ill or poor.

Male-Female/Kinship/Social RelationshipsMale-Female/Kinship/Social Relationships

Romani usually carries more than one nameRomani usually carries more than one name Adult men called “rom”Adult men called “rom” Married women usually wear head scarfsMarried women usually wear head scarfs Families share expensesFamilies share expenses Massive numbers of relatives, friends, etc. likely to visit others in Massive numbers of relatives, friends, etc. likely to visit others in

hospital.hospital. Generally distrustful of non-RomaniesGenerally distrustful of non-Romanies Elders have a high status and respectElders have a high status and respect Family members care for eldersFamily members care for elders Teen marriages are common. Youngest son obligated to care for Teen marriages are common. Youngest son obligated to care for

his parents until their death.his parents until their death. Unmarried males and females sleep separately.Unmarried males and females sleep separately. Women must have lower half of the body covered.Women must have lower half of the body covered. Provide same sex caregivers if at all possible.Provide same sex caregivers if at all possible.

Birth/ChildrenBirth/Children

Children are loved; believed to bring good luck.Children are loved; believed to bring good luck. Families have several children.Families have several children. Boys are preferred.Boys are preferred. Attend public schools up ton 10 or 11 years of age. After, they are Attend public schools up ton 10 or 11 years of age. After, they are

removed to be fully educated in Romani activities.removed to be fully educated in Romani activities. Fear of Romani children being influenced by other children in public Fear of Romani children being influenced by other children in public

schools.schools. During pregnancy, the woman is cared for by other women.During pregnancy, the woman is cared for by other women. Births cannot take place in a Romani’s home (seen as unclean). Most Births cannot take place in a Romani’s home (seen as unclean). Most

opt to deliver at a hospital.opt to deliver at a hospital. Saliva may be placed on the shoulder of a woman in labor to ease pain.Saliva may be placed on the shoulder of a woman in labor to ease pain. Newborns considered unclean until they are baptized after 6-8 weeks.Newborns considered unclean until they are baptized after 6-8 weeks. Photographs of baby are not permitted. Photographs of baby are not permitted. Red ribbons placed on infant’s wrist to protect against the evil eye.Red ribbons placed on infant’s wrist to protect against the evil eye.

DeathDeath

Death of a baby is considered bad luck.Death of a baby is considered bad luck. A dying Romani must spend time with family and friends; A dying Romani must spend time with family and friends;

must be shown compassion. The fear is that if compassion must be shown compassion. The fear is that if compassion is not shown, their spirit will be angered and will cause is not shown, their spirit will be angered and will cause illness to survivors.illness to survivors.

Strong emotions may be shown when a young person dies.Strong emotions may be shown when a young person dies. Prefer to die outside or near a window with a candle lit Prefer to die outside or near a window with a candle lit

under the bed. This allows their spirit to be shown the way under the bed. This allows their spirit to be shown the way to Heaven.to Heaven.

All possessions of deceased must be sold to non-Romanies All possessions of deceased must be sold to non-Romanies or destroyed. or destroyed.

Use of a deceased person’s name is to be avoided as a sign Use of a deceased person’s name is to be avoided as a sign of respect. of respect.

Death contd.Death contd.

At death, close relatives demonstrate mourning by not At death, close relatives demonstrate mourning by not washing their face, hands or body for three days. They will washing their face, hands or body for three days. They will also not comb their hair or shave or change clothing for also not comb their hair or shave or change clothing for three days. On 3three days. On 3rdrd day, will wash themselves. day, will wash themselves.

The mourning period lasts for 12 months.The mourning period lasts for 12 months. Relatives may refuse to allow the deceased’s body to be Relatives may refuse to allow the deceased’s body to be

taken out of morgue.taken out of morgue. Autopsies not permitted as is organ donation. Autopsies not permitted as is organ donation.

Client Teaching/Dietary ConsiderationsClient Teaching/Dietary Considerations

Diet high in salt, sugar, carbohydrates and fat. Diet high in salt, sugar, carbohydrates and fat. High intake of strong coffee.High intake of strong coffee. Two meals per day with no lunch.Two meals per day with no lunch. Fast on Fridays as a cleansing act.Fast on Fridays as a cleansing act. More comfortable using disposable eating utensils if More comfortable using disposable eating utensils if

hospitalized.hospitalized. Family will want to bring food to hospitalized individual.Family will want to bring food to hospitalized individual. Many older Romanies cannot read.Many older Romanies cannot read. Teaching should be geared towards oral or visual learning. Teaching should be geared towards oral or visual learning.

Thank you!Thank you!

Source: Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious Reference Manual, 1995-2005, pp. 119-127.