Stereotype n°6: Customs

When talking about Roma customs one has to keep in mind the Roma’s diversity. There are a few customs which are similar among all Roma who still follow a traditional way of life but there are also very many customs that differ from group to group or even sometimes from family to family.

Customs among Roma just vary as the customs of the population of any European country vary from region to region.

In addition, one has to keep in mind that the majority of European Roma no longer lead a traditional way of life and do not follow or even know about the ‘old’ customs.

In popular culture Roma are often depicted in a romantic way as beautiful, colourfully dressed people, proud and independent, life-loving and passionate, carefree and enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Their music is passionate and their women seductive. This picture is especially prevalent in literature and in paintings and is perpetuated today by groups such as ‘medieval’ societies or ‘Renaissance’ organizations, but cannot in any case be considered as the reality of today’s European Roma