Soroki - the gypsy capital of the world? The most beautiful gypsies (16 photos).

Next, we want to show you the gypsy village of Buzescu, which is located 80 km from the capital of Romania, Bucharest. In this small town with a population of only 5,000 people you can find a large number of luxurious houses, striking with their architecture and unusual solutions. Some houses surprise you with their strangeness, what all this strangeness is about, you will understand when you look at this post.

Have you seen a stainless steel fence? The one that sparkles in the photo?
A gypsy who owned a "company" for the robbery of copper extracted from European railways, also dreamed of one like this and stole, it turns out, for the sake of something sacred, namely, a house in his homeland. The employees of his “company,” who received 50 euros per outing, were given a suspended sentence, and Dan Julien, as the leader, was sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 70,000 euro fine. This very house should be used to pay this fine.

This is the main street of the village.

There is a competition here - whoever has a taller and fancier house is cooler.

It is clear from the architecture that the gypsies love the Belle Epoque style.

There are rarely people on the streets of the village, since the majority of the population spends a lot of time in Western Europe on earnings.

But some residents prefer the antique style - with porticoes.

Roofs clad in metal rival the sophistication of their shapes.

Here is the forged roof of one of the houses in the previous photo close-up. Probably also made of stainless steel.

When a house is located on the outskirts of a village, that is, in a less prestigious place, its owner tries to increase the number of floors.

Where does the view of this type of fairy-tale town come from?)))

There are many unfinished houses among these houses - their owners have still earned enough to complete them.

Limousines - component the boasts of the villagers.

Of course, there is no arguing about tastes.
The owners of these houses declare their spiritual values ​​in their decorative decoration.

In some houses, the fence ends with pins made of pure silver!

At the same time, many members of families living in these “villas” continue to engage in traditional work and ride a horse-drawn carriage.

This house is modeled after a courthouse.

His owner is a drug dealer. When he was tried, he vowed that if he was not convicted, he would build a house in the style of a courthouse in Buzesko.
Apparently, he was cleared out.

Roma children usually study little. Girls get married early, and boys get used to real “business.”

But the owners of the pompous pitchforks do not keep an eye on the outskirts of their village.
The same toilets on the streets.

And they also keep their original houses. Often their relatives simply do not want to move to “palaces” because they do not feel comfortable there.

The interior of one of the houses.

If we abstract from the display of attributes of spiritual values, the interior of these houses, like their facades, also imitates villas from Hollywood films.

But the inhabitants of Buzescu retain their own gypsy style of clothing.

The owner of the house shows off a portrait of her daughter in a wedding dress.

Men shine with gold.

And this is the burial of a thief who died while stealing wires in Spain.

Gypsies are rightfully considered one of the largest ethnic minorities in Europe. Gypsies also live in North Africa, North and South America and Australia. Gypsy culture deeply influenced world music; especially Russian, Romanian, Hungarian, Balkan, Spanish folk music, as well as classical music of the XIX centuries, jazz, flamenco. A lot of paintings, poems, feature films gypsies. In his Top 15 most beautiful gypsies I decided to collect famous women with gypsy roots. If you have suggestions for adding a particular candidate to this rating, write in the comments.

15. Lyalya Black(real name - Nadezhda Khmeleva born February 15, 1909, Nalchik - September 2, 1982, Moscow) - theater and film actress, actress of the Romen Theater, dancer, performer of gypsy songs and romances. Born into the family of a Moscow nobleman, Sergei Alekseevich Kiselyov, and a gypsy, Maria Georgievna Polyakova, singer and dancer of the Strelna Gypsy Choir I. Lebedev. Films: “The Last Camp”, “Fire”, “The Taste of Halva”, “The Camp Goes to Heaven”.

14. Lyalya Moldavskaya- actress and dancer of the gypsy ensembles "Russka Roma" and "Svenko".

13. Diana Savelyeva(born May 16, 1979) - Russian singer, performer of gypsy romances, artist of the Mosconcert. Winner of first place in the competitions "Sun" (1986) and "Jazomania" (1995), laureate of the "Romansiada" (2000), laureate of the festival of gypsy art "At the turn of the century" (2001), member of the jury of the "Romansiada" in 2005. Cousin granddaughter of Nikolai Zhemchuzhny. Born into an artistic gypsy family. Her father is a performer of gypsy songs and dances, Alexander Savelyev. She became a model for Nikolai Bessonov's paintings "Tabor Dance" and "Esmeralda and Phoebus".

12. Rada Rai(real name Elena; April 8, 1979, Magadan, USSR) - Russian singer, performer of Russian chanson. Gained fame with the songs "Kalina" and "Soul". The greatest support in promoting the singer was provided by the Chanson Radio Station. Released in 2008 debut album- “You are my soul...” was released in an unusually large circulation and settled in the top positions in the Russian charts.

11.Maria Shashkova(born 1980, real name Cleopatra) - dancer and belly dance choreographer, multiple winner of international belly dance competitions. Daughter of an artist and musician, former leader gypsy ensemble "Terne Roman" Alexey Shashkov and choreographer Svetlana Shashkova.

10. Mariska Veres(born October 1, 1947 - December 2, 2006) - Dutch singer, lead singer of the group " Shocking Blue"Her father, Lajos Veres, a Hungarian gypsy by nationality, was a violinist in a gypsy orchestra.

9. Nelly Maltseva- dancer of the gypsy ensemble "Svenko".

8.Raya Udovikova(born in 1934 in gypsy camp near Kursk) - actress, singer. In 1953, during a tour of the Romen Theater in Dnepropetrovsk, she joined his troupe and went with her to Moscow. She played many comedic and dramatic roles in the theater.

7. Leoncia Erdenko(born February 27, 1972 Moscow) - successor of the world famous Moscow gypsy dynasty, daughter famous singer Nikolai Erdenko. Main genre: performance of Russian gypsy folklore (classics, tradition, adaptations).

6.Adelina Plohotnaya(born May 29, 1988) - actress of the Romen Theater since 2007, graduated from GITIS. Performances: “Love under the tents”, “Confession of a Gypsy violin”, “We are Gypsies”, “Gypsies and Gypsies in Africa”, “Grushenka”, “We have a concert today”, “Witchcraft love”, “King of Diamonds”, "Bells of Love" Filmography: “The Hare over the Abyss” (2006), “Gypsies” (2009), “On Betrayal” (2010), “Sklifosovsky” (2011), “Legends of the Circle” (2013).

5. Patrina Sharkozy(born March 19) - actress of the Romen Theater since 2006. She studied dance in the Gilori ensemble. In 1999 she graduated from the All-Russian state institute cinematography (workshop of A.V. Batalov). After graduating from the institute, she worked at the theater-studio A.V. Batalova. Theatrical works: “Run horses, run…”, “Hotel “Tabor” 5 stars”, “Love under the tents”, “Confession of a gypsy violin”, “We are gypsies”, “Grushenka”, “Horseshoe of happiness”, “Witchcraft love” ", "Gypsy Paradise", "Princess Kristana", "Countess - Gypsy", "We have a concert today."

4.Rada Matvienko(born September 24, 1991) - singer, actress, TV presenter from Kazakhstan, comes from a family of Russian gypsies. International semi-finalist music competitionAvon Voices. Basic roles in the film: “Racketeer”, “December Tango”, “My Dear Children”, “Book of Life”, “Brothers”, “Xenia XD” (main role), “Mustafa Shokai”, “Angels”. Champion of Kazakhstan in social Latin dances "Bachata", "Salsa" 2008, as well as Arabic "solo tabla". TV presenter of the program: "Alakai".

3.Soledad Miranda(born July 9, 1943 Seville, Spain) - Spanish actress. She became best known for her roles in films directed by Spanish director Jesus Franco. She also used the pseudonyms Susan Korda or Susan Corday. Her parents are Portuguese with Romani ancestry.

2. Rita Hayworth / Rita Hayworth(October 17, 1918 - May 14, 1987) - American film actress and dancer, one of the most famous stars Hollywood 1940s. Real name - Margarita Carmen Cansino, born into a family famous performer Spanish dances flamenco, a native of Seville with gypsy roots - Eduardo Cansino.

There is a small town in Moldova with interesting name Magpies. It is located on the banks of the Dniester right on border with Ukraine. By the way, there are several border ferry crossings across the river in the city area, but we will see them a little later. There is one in Soroky that is the only one preserved in the whole country. medieval fortress, but today I want to talk about gypsy phenomenon associated with this place. Located here on a high bank, a huge quarter inhabited only by gypsies delights large number tourists who come here just to look at the gypsies leading a sedentary lifestyle. In the understanding of the vast majority of people, gypsies are poorly dressed, pestering people on the streets with requests to gild a pen, light a cigarette, etc.; living in camps or train stations. When in Belarus I wanted to show photographs of gypsy houses to one person, he asked in surprise: “Do gypsies have houses?” Yes, yes! There are yes and some more! Such mansions can only be seen in the area of ​​elite cottage villages near large cities, but in a provincial Moldavian town they make an indelible impression.

The most civilized gypsies in the world live in Soroki - that’s what they say about themselves. So let’s take a look at them and at the same time learn a lot of interesting things about it amazing people, which does not have its own native land. By the way one more interesting fact associated with the city - local gypsy baron(aka Baron of All Moldavia) Arthur Cerari claims the title of Gypsy King (elected by ethnicities from various states).

The bulk of the population of Soroki - Moldovans live in the low-lying part of the city on the banks of the Dniester, and high above them on a hill is located a gypsy city, popularly called "ringing mountain": here in autumn and spring wedding monistas and tambourines ring, and blacksmiths in local tin and hardware workshops once thundered here.

I got on the necessary minibus and went to the high part of the city. Along the way, the driver managed to tell a lot of interesting things about gypsy life and about the quarter itself. He took me to the very high point the city where I started my walk. The background in the photo is the Ukrainian side.

Going down the street, you begin to understand the principle that the minibus driver told: “the lower, the more expensive.” This applies to the land on which more and more gypsy mansions are being built. They say that the price of a plot of land for construction can reach unimaginable prices - 50 thousand dollars for square meter ! To be honest, I have little faith in this, but I am telling the reader what I personally heard from people.

The mansions are built with three and four floors, and not in the “New Russian” style (you will find only a few of these), but in a special Asian style with large balconies, fancy turrets, pyramidal superstructures...

Not impressive? Just imagine that in the 80s, even under the USSR, some mansions were already standing! While high party officials were content with one-story government dachas, and people read about rich bankers and businessmen in newspapers under the “abroad” section, this miracle city was already here. In those years, it was a hundred times more interesting for Soviet tourists than today.

In the houses of the wealthy Soroki gypsies there is an eternal construction: some have construction stepladders, others have empty window openings in the upper floors, others have an unplastered house, warehouses of stone and bricks stretch along the walls. Such paintings can be displayed for years. But tax inspectors are well aware of the trick here: according to the law, taxes are not withheld from an unfinished house. Or they are withheld, but in smaller amounts.

Gypsies are characterized by everyday weaknesses, say locals. Their “Achilles heel” is the eternal desire to outdo their neighbor. That is why there is an eternal construction rivalry in Soroki. Only they compete in a special, purely gypsy way: when you build a house, even if you die, raise it a couple of bricks higher than your neighbor’s. For example, Alexander Preda, the baron’s uncle, has his own “trick” for envious neighbors - an expensive fountain with antique statues, where frogs and crocodiles live in the summer!

He told one paparazzi that he designed the fountain himself, after he went to work and saw this miracle in the “city of fountains” Petrodvorets. I saw this beauty and literally fell ill with it, which is why I designed something similar for myself. “I came up with the idea of ​​the crocodiles myself: for chic,” admitted the baron’s relative, so that the neighbors would not doze off.

The quarter has a lot of small streets that end in dead ends - in each you will find something new. You can spend at least three hours visiting the gypsy town. Among other attractions, there is a simplified copy of the Moscow Bolshoi Theater, as well as a house in the shape of a twenty (fifty) dollar bill!!! I haven’t seen it in person, so I still can’t imagine what it must look like in real life.

Walking around the “city” is completely safe; the Soro gypsies, as you can see, are rich people and will not bother you and beg for alms. They are very friendly and calmly allow those who are interested to take pictures of their home, themselves and their family, they even open the gates themselves and invite them to come in looking for the best angles :)

They are easy to contact, you can photograph them... Please note that the most ordinary people live in such luxurious houses

Meanwhile, I go lower and houses become more expensive accordingly. At what cost are they built? Many people associate the gypsies with the drug business - I won’t discuss whether this is true or not. What is undeniable is the so-called fortune-telling trade and something more terrible - begging. There is still such a sin: stealing someone else's baby and then running it into the begging business. Gypsy axiom: the more pitiful the person asking, the more larger size alms, so the beggars are dressed in the finest rags and are often mutilated.

During the years of the USSR, when ties with other countries were severed, Soroki became the gypsy capital of the entire union. The most influential gypsies settled here. With the collapse great country ties have not been interrupted and no matter how paradoxical it may seem, today a ruble given to a beggar in, say, Vladivostok will go towards the construction of a new mansion here in Soroki!

Many Roma go to work in cities and villages and return here only a few times a year. Nomads mainly come here for Christmas and Easter. Did not know? But our gypsies are Orthodox! That day I had to verify their piety several times, but you must agree that this does not fit in with drugs, fortune telling, etc.

One old gypsy saw me and asked: “What benefit will you get from walking here and taking pictures of us? Will you get paid for this?” To my seemingly convincing answers about travel, impressions, etc., he shook his head and gave me a ten-minute lecture with approximately the following content:
- You probably think this is how you earn your place there in heaven? In vain. Only by glorifying the name of our Lord God and speaking about him can we get a small piece of space for our own soul there in Paradise. Listen to me, the old gypsy. etc.
It was very surprising to hear this, although I already knew about it from guidebooks. By the way, that day I was asked two more times about the “personal benefit” of what I was doing. The gypsies could not understand why I was doing something for nothing.

The current Baron's father, deceased Mircea Cherari, was a particularly respected person in Soroky, demanding, fair, long years ruled ethnicity. He opened the first jewelry cooperative in the city - this kind of enterprise was the only one in the entire Union. Mircea was distinguished by his business acumen and was a man of principle. Helped Roma learn how to establish and promote entrepreneurship. He grabbed onto what was in short supply and set things up. For example, in the 90s in Soroki, the gypsies established the production of underwear, which is connected with one very interesting funny story described from the words of one Sorokinsky traffic cop:

“Back then, “weekly” and knitted men’s swimming trunks were in short supply. The owners of the cooperative on their branded shorts not only immortalized the eagle from “Montana”, but also signed: “Cherar.” One winter, a gypsy flies to the traffic police to quickly register a foreign car, time, they say, it’s not enough, come on, friend, help! And he drags two huge bags with panties and swimming trunks into the office. I distributed them to everyone I met that day. And I brought them to my wife - she was glad, my dear. And in the summer, my colleagues and I gathered for a barbecue with fishing on the banks of the Dniester - they stripped off to sunbathe, as they looked, and everyone, like a football team, was wearing underpants from Cherary!”

Another monumental building is located in close proximity to the “gypsy patch” - a local crossroads where many gypsies gather in the evenings.

When talking about gypsy luxury, it is worth mentioning that right behind the fences this luxury ends - there is impassable mud and puddles all around.

I went into the courtyard of one of the houses. The whole family was on the street, but I was embarrassed to take a photo of them. But I walked around the house quite a bit...

Still would! I have never seen such wonderful roofs! This is not some kind of metal tile of ours

Let's take a closer look at the roof...

I just don't have words to describe it!

By the way, chickens also look colorful on such farmsteads :)

In the area of ​​the above-mentioned “patch”, two large mansions are being built. Here's one of them.

they say that the baron is building them for his son and daughter.

Below you can see the Moldovan part of Soroki, but I’m not in a hurry to go down, but go to the alley from where a minute ago a whole cart of elite tinted foreign cars drove out. The Baron went immediately, I thought, and subsequently I was not mistaken.

When I found myself at this miniature beautiful house, a gypsy woman called out to me from the yard opposite...

I turned around and immediately realized that I was standing near the baron’s house. I still curse myself for never taking a picture of this house and its yard! For these 15-20 minutes, it was as if I had fallen under the influence of gypsy hypnosis and took out my camera only at the command of the gypsy woman - the baron's wife. Well, there is a reason to go there again - for photos.
House of Baron Arthur Cerari, as expected, the most prominent in the area. Like a picture, it is clearly visible from all sides: 3-storey, made of expensive red brick, with a green slate roof and a mini-turret, a church onion. Through the massive wrought-iron gates the covered road is visible paving slabs local area. The yard is crowded today - they are cleaning the area (but not the gypsies).
I walk into the yard and notice two old limos rooted to the very bottom - for gypsies, the passion for cars has now replaced horses.

The gypsy woman led me to the porch of a luxurious house and after the standard questions of where I am from and who I am, she spread her arms:
- take pictures! Here are my daughter and grandchildren!

Actually, these are all the photographs that I took from the baron’s house. But this is not the end of the story. The gypsy woman sat me down at the table and served me lunch:
“We only have lean meat,” she warned.
That day God sent me" lazy cabbage rolls", green tea, bagels. I asked the baron's daughter: "What do you do in life? I’m working.” She thought for a while and nodded towards the area cleaner:
- We are preparing for Easter.
I didn't ask any more questions.

Then it’s time to tell my fortune for my beloved. Then, of course, I figured out all the enticement associated with giving me a warm welcome, but that was later. And before that, I parted with 50 lei (about 5 dollars) and listened to about “love and family, about a soul mate.”
The whole trick lies in the very question about personal gain that the gypsies ask everyone. Unlike people like us, gypsies don’t do anything for nothing. So I had to pay for the hospitality shown to me, but they wouldn’t openly present me with a bill like in a restaurant. Therefore, I gild the gypsy’s hand, thereby paying for lunch, and in addition she also charges me with positivity in the form good results fortune telling: a lot of money, children, good job etc.

Finally I leave the territory of the baron's house. I never saw Arthur himself, but there are photographs of him in internet.

Gypsy children are willing to make contact. They have already learned a lot of English and are always ready to give an impromptu tour of the town. They can offer it to you too :)

They suggested to me a good angle from which a wonderful view of the city opens.

Passes along the Dniester state border Moldova - Ukraine

Near the Sorokino fortress there is an interstate ferry crossing, which operates only during daylight hours. The ferry departs once an hour, but be careful - due to the status of the border crossing, only citizens of Moldova and Ukraine can cross the border here.

On the other side of the Dniester you can see the Ukrainian Tsekinivka

A few high-rise buildings in a Moldovan town. Their condition is not the best, and the courtyards there are completely sad. These photos will be in a separate post.

Thanksgiving Candle - new symbol city, set on the side of a high cliff. From there you have a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding area - photos from the observation deck will come later.

Well, I continue to go down

I liked the Moldavian acacia this morning in Balti

Finally, I went down to the Sorokino fortress and, having briefly examined it, headed at full speed to the bus station, located in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthat very “candle”. Before the last bus left for Chisinau, we had to climb it.

I climbed to the Thanksgiving candle together with three peers - gypsies, one of whom was named Graph, was very friendly to me. He saw in my wanderings something familiar - gypsy and told about his childhood wanderings around Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus (yeah! apparently he also went begging).

This is how the “Romales” live on this land given to them by the great Moldavian ruler Stephen the Great back in the 14th century and did not give up the dream of creating their own ethnic autonomy. This is what the Soro Baron Arthur is doing now. And he has every chance of becoming a gypsy king, but what will happen from this? Wait and see!

When writing this post, the text was used from here, as well as from the wonderful guidebook "Ukraine and Moldova" authorship Andrey Sapunov.

Gypsies are perhaps the most mysterious people. They pass on their customs and rituals from generation to generation, which earns them great respect. But holidays, and especially gypsy weddings, rightfully receive special attention! And such interest becomes a kind of impetus for holding and decorating a wedding in the style of gypsy traditions.

The portal for brides www.site offers to learn more about the wedding customs of the gypsies and, perhaps, take note of some traditions, diversifying your own celebration.

Gypsy wedding: features of the holiday

Traditional gypsy wedding very, very different from a Russian style wedding. Some gypsy wedding traditions arouse genuine interest, while others cause misunderstanding and shock. But all weddings in the camp have one thing in common: the celebrations are always held on a grand scale, with cheerful dancing, singing and in a big way!

Matchmaking

It is with matchmaking that preparation for the wedding ceremony begins. As a rule, parents themselves look for future spouses for their children. The main search criteria are reputation and family wealth.

Often, parents made the decision to unite families when the bride and groom were still very young children, sometimes even babies. At this stage, it was decided how many years later the wedding would take place, and what kind of ransom the father wanted to receive for his daughter.

The custom of gypsy matchmaking requires the presence of two important attributes, without which it is impossible to observe the tradition:

1. Birch branch or bottle of wine/champagne. These items are weighed banknotes, coins or gold;
2. Wedding loaf. The pie is baked according to a special recipe by sisters or other relatives future wife. It is presented on a beautiful towel.

Matchmakers and the groom's father show their “offerings” to potential relatives, and if the bride's father allows them to be placed on the table, then this serves as consent to the wedding.

During matchmaking, none of the women has the right to be present in the room; the “agreement” is concluded exclusively between the men of both families.

Celebration color

The color red is a symbol of happiness, joy and passion among gypsy communities. It is always present on the wedding day in the decorations of the holiday and the clothes of the newlyweds and guests.

Red flags are hung on the houses of the bride and groom, and red ribbon decorates the suits of the invited men. A red and white ribbon is a mandatory attribute in the groom's clothing.

Holiday time

Gypsy weddings are held at any time of the year, but preference is still given summer time. The tradition of summer weddings has long roots, because previously, low tables were set up for the celebration, and guests sat on carpets laid directly on the ground.

Currently, Roma are increasingly celebrating holidays in restaurants and cafes. However, the love for summer weddings still remains.

The holiday lasts at least three days; in rich families, dances and feasts can last for a week.

On the first day there is a so-called bachelorette party.. Once again the ritual of bargaining takes place, but this is simply to maintain tradition.

Afterwards, relatives, matchmakers and newlyweds sit down at the laid tables. Moreover, separate tables are set for women (including the bride) and men and the groom. After some time, the matchmakers shake hands, kiss, and this is exactly what means - the contract is finally concluded!

The groom's father takes the bride to the first dance, after which friends and girlfriends of the newlyweds are invited to the circle. As a rule, after the dance the first day ends. After all, the most important day is ahead!

The second day of the wedding is the wedding ceremony itself. From the very morning, friends and relatives help the bride get ready. Music is played in the house, songs are sung and festive tables are set.

As soon as the bride is ready, they bring her Wedding Dress. Moreover, gypsies never rent clothes. It is “inherited” from a sister/relative or a completely new dress is purchased, depending on the family’s capabilities.

Afterwards, the bride comes out to the guests and dances in front of them. As soon as the gypsy is collected and the dances are performed, she is carried to the groom’s house.

As a rule, the banquet takes place either in the house of a relative of the husband, or in a restaurant. Before the festive feast, the newlyweds are blessed with an icon and bread, presented with expensive gifts and water with sweets is poured under their feet (as a symbol of a sweet and easy married life).

During the banquet, the couple is escorted to a separate room to perform the first wedding night. We will tell you more about this below.

On the third day of the holiday Lamb soup is a must. After the traditional toasts and congratulations, the dowry of the already established spouse is brought out for everyone to see. This could be bed linen, pillows, blankets, etc., but modern gypsies They prefer to display money, gold and jewelry as a dowry. Moreover, every item is demonstrated to everyone present. This is how the girl’s family shows that the bride did not come to her husband’s house empty-handed and in the event of a “divorce” she will leave with her dowry. This is how gypsy wedding rituals protect the property of the newly-made wife.

Gypsy bride price

The bride price acts as compensation to the girl's family for the loss of their helper. If previously the ransom went entirely to the bride’s family, now the parents return part of the money/jewelry to the young family.

Who pays for the wedding

Traditionally, the groom's family pays for the celebration. In order for the wedding to be bright, colorful and luxurious, parents begin saving money from the birth of their son. Often a magnificent celebration can ruin parents, but a luxurious wedding is a matter of honor for every gypsy family.

Modern wedding traditions allow gypsy families to split wedding expenses in half.

Feast

The festive tables of the gypsies amaze everyone's imagination. The alcohol flows like a river, the tables are full of food. But at the same time, not a single gypsy will allow himself to overdo it with alcoholic drinks, because to be drunk means to disgrace himself in the community.

Different tables are set for men and women. In the center of the room there is a table for married spouses and witnesses.

Invited men, as a rule, wear formal suits. Married women - in traditional clothes with his head covered, and unmarried girls can afford to come to a wedding in a trouser suit.

Fraternization

A beautiful gypsy wedding always includes a ceremony of fraternization. It symbolizes eternal connection spouses. To do this, small cuts are made on the fingers of the young, which are crossed with each other as soon as blood appears.

Features of the holiday

Gypsy couples do not formalize their marriage. But among Orthodox communities, weddings are mandatory.

On the wedding day, the bride should be quiet and silent, symbolizing respect for her father and new husband.

The girl necessarily moves to her husband’s house, where all household chores are entrusted to her.

Gypsy wedding customs: the first wedding night

As mentioned above, the first marital duty is performed directly during the wedding celebration.

A room or tent is prepared in advance for a new family. Previously, two adult women from both families used to sit alone with the newlyweds; now “witnesses” are waiting for the spouses outside the room.

Afterwards, a shirt or sheet with characteristic blood stains, sprinkled with scarlet petals, is brought out to the guests on a tray. And the gypsy bride appears in the hall already in a red dress with an apron and with her head covered - now she is officially a wife!

If the bride turns out to be not a virgin, then the marriage is dissolved every second, and the family is covered in shame. In this case, the family even changes their place of residence, and the girl may never get married again.