The Romani (gypsies, Zigeuner, however you've heard of them) have such an interesting history (the nomadic survivors of a war in India long ago) and lasting culture, a million of them were killed in German concentration camps in WWII, and yet no one seems to remember that. They seem largely silent and invisible. Why is that?
2007-01-05 16:32:23 · 5 answers · asked by GoFish 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
For those of you saying that's the way they want it, how do you explain the fact that at one point in history they crowned a king who was to negotiate with national leaders on their behalf ? (He and his supporters were rounded up and killed, I believe.)
2007-01-05 17:35:42 · update #1
That is undoubtedly how any of them survive their persecution. They didn't get a new homeland after World War II. They don't any special protection in the world which is still, overall, suspicious of them.
2007-01-05 16:41:04 · answer #1 · answered by Susan M 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are plenty of gypsies, they have huge communities in major cities, they throw the greatest parties. One party is where everyone drops the money from their pocket on the floor and leaves it there, they got that from the Greek tradition, they do the same thing. It is a way of saying who cares, because the powers that be will provide if I give I shall receive. And with the superstitious it is like a cleansing of guilt and money to come.
They have always been silent minority and a type of nomad. So look in the sites for the gysies and Romanians, you will find them.Their country was all over they were nomads. And there were reasons why they were not trusted that you can look up in history as well. Because they were in the entertainment business so to speak? They sang and danced and played music, read fortunes, and they stole for a living. Being they really did not have a homeland, which is good if you like home is where you hang your hat. If you watch the Hunchback of Notre Dame based in France you will see the gypsie culture there. A great synopsis. They were good at stealing and were hired by people to do this task as well. Gypsy is a term for a lifestyle not a race. And that is why they were not mentioned in the category for racial discrimination in the WWII, anyone that was a nomad and in the gypsy camps were too free thinking and that is why they were exterminated. Hitler thought of them as useless and non-productive. There were Jewish gypsies as well as Jewish Poles and Romanians, Bulgarians, Hungarians, etc., so folks there you have it, not all Jews were rich and educated, Have you ever heard of the Jewish Nomads?
2007-01-06 01:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
It's how they have survived. It often upsets me how the Israelis have taken exclusive possession of the Holocaust to the diminishment of others - and how they seem to use the persistent role of "victim" even when they are belting hell out of the Palestinians (toy rockets against modern bombers - compare the fatality statistics). The Romani, on the other hand, just doggedly go on surviving, taking their cuts, and have my admiration. Long may they travel, though the world is becoming too congested for the free life.
2007-01-06 00:38:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 5⤋
Because that's the way we want it.
2007-01-06 00:42:38 · answer #4 · answered by john h 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Didn't they become the Oompa Loompa people?
2007-01-06 00:40:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 10⤋