Dissertation on the Gipseys: Representing their manner of life, family economy, occupations & trades, marriages & education, sickness, death, & burial, religion, language, sciences & arts, &c. &c. &c.; with an historical enquiry concerning their origin & first appearance in EuropeGrellmann, Heinrich Moritz Gottlieb
History
Dissertation on the Gipseys: Representing their manner of life, family economy, occupations & trades, marriages & education, sickness, death, & burial, religion, language, sciences & arts, &c. &c. &c.; with an historical enquiry concerning their origin & first appearance in Europe
Grellmann, Heinrich Moritz Gottlieb
Romanies
What was done, in her time, towards the accomplishment of this work, may
be seen by the following article, extracted from the Newspaper already
often quoted, called _Anzeigen aus den Kayserl_. _Königl_. _Erbländern_
(Intelligence from the Hereditary Imperial Royal Dominions): “Since the
year 1768, several decrees regarding these people have been published in
the country (Hungary), and the strictest orders dispatched to the several
districts in consequence. They were prohibited from dwelling in huts or
tents; from wandering up and down the country; from dealing in horses;
from eating animals which died naturally, and carrion; and from electing
their own wayda or judge. It was intended to extirpate the very name and
language of these folks, out of the country. They were no longer to be
called Gipseys, but New Boors (Uj Magyar); not to converse any longer
with each other in their own language, but in that of any of the
countries in which they had chosen to reside. Some months were to be
allowed, after which time they were to quit their Gipsey manner of life,
and settle, like the other inhabitants, in cities or villages; to build
decent houses, and follow some reputable business. They were to procure
boors’ clothing, to commit themselves to the protection of some
territorial superior, and live regularly. Such as were fit for soldiers,
to be enlisted into regiments.” Nevertheless, although these regulations
were calculated entirely for the good of these people and the state, the
greatest part were not in the smallest degree benefited by them. The
effect which was produced gave occasion, in the year 1773, for these
orders not only to be repeated, but made more rigid; and as even this
measure would not answer the end, it was then thought necessary to
proceed to extremity with them. Wherefore it was ordered, That no Gipsey
should have permission to marry, who could not prove himself in condition
to support a wife and children: that from such Gipseys who had families,
the children should be taken away by force, removed from their parents,
relations, and intercourse with the Gipsey race, to have a better
education given them. A beginning was made in some places; and where
they would not comply voluntarily, they were compelled to submit to the
decree. At Fahlendorf in Schütt, and in the district of Pressburg, all
the children of the New Boors (Gipseys) above five years old, were
carried away in waggons during the night of the 21st of December, 1773,
by overseers appointed for that purpose; in order that, at a distance
from their parents or relations, they might be more usefully educated,
and become accustomed to work. Those boors who were willing to receive
and bring up these children, were paid eighteen guilders yearly from
government. On the 24th of April, 1774, between five and six o’clock in
the morning, the children of the Gipseys, which had been growing up from
December of the foregoing year, were again removed from Fahlendorf in
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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