A Brief History of the Romani Gypsy Community
The Romani Gypsies, also known as Travellers, have lived in the UK for nearly 500 years, primarily residing in caravans or on the road. However, it wasn’t until around 60 years ago that they began to settle in traditional homes. Despite facing abuse, stereotyping, and discrimination, the community continues to thrive. In a BBC documentary, “Growing Up Gypsy,” presenter Stacey Dooley gains access to the homes of three young Romani women, who share their insights into the traditional rules that govern their lives.
The Importance of Chores and Domesticity
In the community, domestic chores are a significant aspect of life, with women taking on the primary responsibility of cleaning and maintaining the home. Chantelle, 23, explains that men are rarely involved in household chores, while Chantelle and her husband Swaley have a traditional setup where Chantelle waits until marriage to have sex.
“With Gypsy boys, they don’t get taught to clean. The girls on the other hand, they’ve had a cloth in their hand since they was a newborn.”
— Chantelle
Chantelle’s view is echoed by Serena and Ebony, who both emphasize the importance of domesticity and the role of women in the community. They believe that women should focus on raising children and managing the household, while men take on more traditional roles as providers.
The Value of Waiting Until Marriage
Waiting until marriage is still a significant value in the community, with Serena and Ebony both stating that they wouldn’t consider moving in with their fiancés before tying the knot. Chantelle and Swaley eloped after six weeks of dating, with Swaley explaining that this is how Travellers traditionally view marriage.
- Chantelle and Swaley were married after eloping, as Travellers did it years ago and still do it today.
- Serena and Marco are waiting until marriage before moving into their new home.
- Even if Serena were allowed to move in before marriage, she wouldn’t do it anyway.
Confronting Stereotypes and Discrimination
Despite their strong sense of community and tradition, the Romani Gypsies still face frequent abuse and stereotyping. Serena and Ebony acknowledge that they have to “hide” their identity by changing their behavior and appearance to fit in with non-Traveller society.
“You’re either bullied, or the teachers don’t help you. There’s some kind of a reason why travellers have pulled out of school earlier than they should be.”
— Serena’s mother
Their mother highlights the difficulties faced by Travellers in accessing education, citing low attendance rates and bullying in schools.
The Significance of Cleanliness
In the Traveller community, maintaining a clean home is essential. Women take pride in their cleanliness, with many showcasing their immaculate homes on social media platforms like TikTok. Some women go to great lengths to protect their furniture, using plastic wraps to prevent damage. Cleanliness is a symbol of respect and pride in the Traveller community.
“This plastic just protects the top of tables, you can put it on seats, in your kitchen. We just put it on the furniture so it doesn’t get destroyed.”
— Cuzinsuzy
The attention to detail and dedication to cleanliness demonstrate the strong sense of tradition and community that defines the Romani Gypsy lifestyle.
Conclusion
The documentary “Growing Up Gypsy” offers a rare glimpse into the lives of three young Romani women, showcasing the unique traditions and rules that govern their community. Through their stories, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Travellers, including stereotyping, discrimination, and limited access to education. Despite these challenges, the community remains strong, with women taking pride in their domestic roles and cleanliness. As we continue to learn more about the Romani Gypsy community, we are reminded of the importance of respecting and understanding their unique traditions and way of life.
