Gypsy Nomads in Bulgaria: Traditions and the Contemporary Dimension

Abstract

One of the primary ethno-eultural characteristics of a given community is its way of life; with the Gypsies, this aspect is closely connected to their professional specialisation. The situation among Gypsies is very specifie indeed, as it cannot be established with certainty whether their initial ‘traditional’ way of life was settled or wandering. The question whether their ancestors in ancient India were sedentary or not, whether the nomadic way of life was adopted during the long journey to Europe or prevailed since the very beginning, still remains open. If the answer is equivocal, so are many other assumptions concerning the origin of Gypsies. Their very origin is linked to rather heterogeneous groups and communities back in ancient India who, in addition, left the country by different routes and in different periods. It is quite probable, therefore, that the dichotomy⁴ settled-wandering’ had already existed at the time of departure, that is, that some parts of the Gypsy community were traditionally bound to one kind of existence while others stuck to the other.