Humble offerins and requests for corrections on Romini

[Xiaou]

Flare is NOT equivalent to common / standard speech correct?

If it is equivalent or understandable then it is distinctly
accented and typically used only in music?

Are there regional dialects of it? If so, what are they called?

Do romini anywhere suffer any sort of persecution?

Some customs:

Red is NEVER worn by an honest gypsy woman, except on her Wedding
day to symbolize she is still a virgin.

Never greet another Romany before washing in the morning.

Women are Marhime (unclean) From the waist down except
to their husband or intended husband. This is in part to prevent
rapes, in part to prevent adultery. A woman can scare away
evil spirits by waving one of her skirts in the air. She can also
touch a male she is extremely displeased by with them.
This way they are Marhime and NO male can talk to them until they
have been cleansed by the Krisatora(a gathering of 'judges'
from different gypsy tribes)(BTW the Kris is not called
specifically for this purpose it is called to settle disagreements
between the gypsies)
[terms will be changed or omitted to not cheese, replacement terms welcome]

The untying of knots, cutting of knots, loosening of hair by a
pregnant woman (to keep the umbilical cord from knotting)

The father wrapping the newborn in blankets with a few drops
of his blood or tying a red ribbon around the child's neck
signifying its his.

He (the father) will often be prohibited from going out between
sunset and sunrise so that he may keep away from evil spirits

A child is only romini if the father is

There is a bride price and marriage occurs between age 9-14

Physical appearance is least important in selecting a bride.
The prospective brides are judged on their merits, such as
health, stamina, strength, dispositions, manners, and
domestic skills. The character of the girl's family,
as well as their prestige in the community, is also taken into account

There are many superstitious omens of death, the most common of which
is the cry of the owl

There must be no danger of a lingering hidden envy or secret resentment
on the part of those who are about to begin a journey
to the world of the dead

The dying Rom must never be left alone. This is not only out of compassion
for his condition, but also for fear of possible anger.

He must not die in his or her habitual place

When death finally comes, the lamentation increases. From that time
until the burial, certain traditional customs are observed. Above all,
there is total absorption in the mourning, with no distractions or
activities. There is no washing or shaving or combing of the hair.
No food is prepared. Only the drinking of coffee, brandy, or other
liquors is permitted. Mirrors might be covered and vessels containing
water emptied.

Some tribes may plug the nostrils of the deceased with beeswax or
pearls to prevent evil spirits from entering the body.

An important step is the gathering together of those things that
will be useful to the deceased during the journey from life to be
placed in the coffin. These can include almost anything, such as
clothing, tools, eating utensils, jewelry, and money

The color worn by mourners at Romani funerals, until recent times,
has traditionally been white or red

The Roma believe that the soul of the dead might be reincarnated
in another man or animal.

The posessions of the deceased may be sold, buried or burned but never kept.

There are fortune tellers, spirit healers( advising) and
people able to bestow curses

Good luck charms, amulets, and talismans are common and carried to prevent
misfortune or illness. Some carry bread in their pockets.

One method of lowering a fever has been to shake a young tree

Another method to bring down fever has been to drink powdered portions
of certain animals, dissolved in spirits, to the accompaniment of a chant.

Some beliefs include carrying a mole's foot as a cure for rheumatism,
and carrying a hedgehog's foot to prevent a toothache.

Married women show they are married by wearing a scarf on
their head (assume earrings maybe?)


Some sayings:

It is easier to milk a cow that stands still.

Bury me standing. I've been on my knees all my life.

With the ears, and not with the eyes.(often said when looking for a wife)

Beauty cannot be eaten with a spoon

One madman makes many madmen and many madmen makes madness

There are lies more beleivable then the truth

This song was offered as a gift to worthy men

In the village without dogs the farmers walk without sticks


Generally I figure good sense will go a long way
in selecting songs and occult customs that seem period and
technology and theologically appropriate.
Taught a bard the song Black Rain (circa 17th century)
almost verbatim lyrics, it was good fun and non-damaging I think.
Stop me if I'm going crazy with this.

[Dralix]

Taught a bard the song Black Rain (circa 17th century)
almost verbatim lyrics, it was good fun and non-damaging I think.

I heard The Raven and thought that was good fun. Even if my mage isn't much for showing emotion.

[Orleron]

Flare is used in Romini speach though usually not written down. Songs however are passed down, and the Romini songs use it too. Flare can be understood by those who know Common and vice versa. It's just thick with accent.

Where did you find the other stuff?

[Xiaou]

Shamelessly swiped from Gypsy a couple gypsy culture sites.

There is no attempt to distinguish Rom, Roma, Irish Traveller, etc etc traditions, cultural beliefs etc. I just sort of picked what I thought could be interesting / workable from what was presented.

Trying to think of things that might come up in RP situations or could be interesting tidbits to put possibly into a book to publish.

What do you think I should change or omit?

[Orleron]

Looked pretty good actually. The Romini are generally a gypsy knockoff, hence the word Romini. I think we can use that stuff.