History of Gypsies Essay -- Gypsy

The first and to date only reliable assertion of the origin of word Gypsy for the members of â€Å"specific† group, dates back to 1068. At that time the Georgian monah st. George Antonski, from the monastery of Iviron (Greece) reports to his people that on the mountain of Athos in the time between 1001 and 1026 a group of â€Å"Athiganos† arrived. The word Athigatos or Acinkan in Greek would be â€Å"untouchable†. Different synonyms of this word were used later as name for â€Å"that† nation around Europe. In literature we find: latin-Cingarus, Turkey-Cingeneler, France-Tsiganes, Germany-Zinger, Russia-Cjganji, Hungary-Ciganjiok, Italy-Zingari, Spain-Gitanos. In Croatia the name is Cigani and in Dubrovnik Republic Jedupi or Egyptians. The name Egyptians was probably brought to Dubrovnik by Italians (Greece was at the time under Venetian rule) where together with the former name Jedupi for Gypsies the name Egyptians started to be used. On 08. April 1791 the first World congress of Gypsies was held in London. Important decisions and accepting of Roma flag, official anthem and official languages were brought. It was decided that the flag consists of two basic colours that symbolises everlasting wandering of Roma. The green is a symbol of boundless natural space as freedom of movement. The blue is symbol of sky and in the middle of the flag is a wheel which marks the everlasting journey of Roma. The official anthem is famous Roma song â€Å"Gelem, Gelem† and as official language Lovari Roma language was accepted. In the same time as unique world wide used name for Gypsies was term â€Å"Htom†, which in Gypsy-lovari language means a man. Sound ht does not exist in graphic system therefore for the sake of easy writing this sound is spelled as sound R. There... ...father Stepan Iuan Sainouich dictus Oliuerich, 1490. father Sain We strongly believe that the Dubrovnik Gypsies are ancestors of today’s Lovari Roma as this tradition of names and surnames can today be found among Lovari Roma in Croatia. Music Anthem: Gelem,gelem Anthem lyrics: Gelem, gelem I have travelled over long roads I have met fortunate Roma I have travelled far and wide I have met lucky Roma Oh, Romani adults, Oh Romani youth Oh, Romani adults, Oh Romani youth Oh, Roma, from wherever you have come With your tents along lucky roads I too once had a large family But the black legion murdered them Come with me, Roma of the world To where the Romani roads have been opened Now is the time - stand up, Roma, We shall succeed where we make the effort. Oh, Roma adults, Oh, Roma youth Oh, Roma adults, Oh, Roma youth