Gypsies as a Sociological Group

This paper will be concerned with the ways in which the Gypsies form a unique sociological group. It has been estimated that there are 4 to 5 million Gypsies in Europe; 1 million in Asia; 400,000 in America; and 50,000 in North Africa ("Gypsies" 1990, p. 775). The Gypsies originated in India and they apparently began migrating westward during the early Middle Ages (Gmelch & Gmelch, 1988, p. 52). The Gypsies received their name because the Europeans who first encountered them believed they were from Egypt. The Gypsies themselves did little to correct this misconception. In fact, as noted by sociologist Thomas Acton, it probably benefitted the Gypsies to pretend that they were Christians from the MidEast because "at the time the stereotypic image of Christians fleeing Islamic religious persecution was very favorable" (Gmelch & Gmelch, 1988, p. 52).

The Gypsies are unique among the social groups that surround them because they are adapted to a nomadic way of life. Rejecting the comforts of an established home, the traditional Gypsy family travels in a caravan and camps out in tents. As a result of this lifestyle, Gypsies have become an "alternative society," living "always temporarily - at the edges of cities, at the edge of our society" (Greenfeld, 1977, p. 1). The decision to live on the edge of society is partly that of the Gypsies themselves, and partly the result of the persecutions they have experienced over the years. The various Gypsies scattered throughout t

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ess a "tightly controlled social organization, which stresses strong family and community ties" (p. 28). Nevertheless, it may be pointed out that the Gypsies of the world are not a highly cohesive group. In fact, the Gypsies as a whole are made up of a variety of smaller tribal units. There have been various efforts to classify these diverse groups. One recent classification was developed by J.P. Clebert, who distinguished four specific subtypes of Gypsies: the Kalderash of Central Europe; the Gitanos of Western Europe; the Sinti (or Manush) of Western and Southern Europe; and finally the unnamed group of Gypsies which are found in the British Isles ("Gypsies" 1990, p. 775). Within these various subgroups, there are strong social structures which keep the smaller units tied together. The most basic unit is that of the familiar or blood-related clan. The Gypsy clans are centered around lineages which stem from the father's side of the family. Often members of the same lineage will be scattered throughout a given region. Nevertheless, loyalty to one's own patrilineage remains strong throughout a Gypsy's life. Thus, for example, "all persons who compose a lineage, especially men, come together from far off parts when it is n

Category: Psychology - G