Gypsies: The Hidden Americans

Front Cover
Waveland Press, Jul 1, 1986 - Social Science - 330 pages

The Gypsies portrayed in this book are the Vlax-speaking Rom, the largest group of Gypsies in the United States, numbering 500,000. Not officially recognized as a minority in the U.S. until 1972, Gypsies have led an almost entirely invisible existence here. Now in this fascinating workthe first complete account of American GypsiesSutherland has produced an in-depth look at the full range of everyday social life among the Rom. Separate, elusive, complex, and unique among the people of the world, Gypsies have preserved their traditional way of life. How have they avoided assimilation? What keeps them apart? How are they organized, and what do they believe? These and other important questions about these hidden Americans are addressed in Sutherlands contemporary study.

 

Contents

Introduction
1
Chapter 1 Methodology
10
Chapter 2 The Kumpania
32
Chapter 3 Economic Relations
65
Chapter 4 Leadership and Conflict
97
Chapter 5 The Relationship Terminology
139
Chapter 6 The Vitsa and Natsia
181
Chapter 7 Marriage
206
Chapter 9 Conclusions
288
Appendix A
292
Appendix B
305
Notes
307
Glossary
316
Bibliography
320
Author and Subject Index
325
Index of Natsia Vitsa and Individuals Names
329

Chapter 8 Pollution Boundaries and Beliefs
255

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