The Zincali: An Account of the Gypsies of SpainBorrow, George
History
The Zincali: An Account of the Gypsies of Spain
Borrow, George
Romanies -- Languages; Romanies -- Spain
Above I have pointed out all the difficulties and dangers which must have
attended the path of the Gitános, had they passed from Spain into
Barbary, and attempted to spread themselves over that region, as over
Europe and many parts of Asia. To these observations I have been led by
the assertion that they accomplished this, and no proof of the fact
having, as I am aware, ever been adduced; for who amongst those who have
made such a statement has seen or conversed with the Egyptians of
Barbary, or had sufficient intercourse with them to justify him in the
assertion that they are one and the same people as those of Europe, from
whom they differ about as much as the various tribes which inhabit
various European countries differ from each other? At the same time, I
wish it to be distinctly understood that I am far from denying the
existence of Gypsies in various parts of the interior of Barbary.
Indeed, I almost believe the fact, though the information which I possess
is by no means of a description which would justify me in speaking with
full certainty; I having myself never come in contact with any sect or
caste of people amongst the Moors, who not only tallied in their pursuits
with the Rommany, but who likewise spoke amongst themselves a dialect of
the language of Roma; nor am I aware that any individual worthy of credit
has ever presumed to say that he has been more fortunate in these
respects.
Nevertheless, I repeat that I am inclined to believe that Gypsies
virtually exist in Barbary, and my reasons I shall presently adduce; but
I will here observe, that if these strange outcasts did indeed contrive
to penetrate into the heart of that savage and inhospitable region, they
could only have succeeded after having become well acquainted with the
Moorish language, and when, after a considerable sojourn on the coast,
they had raised for themselves a name, and were regarded with
superstitious fear; in a word, if they walked this land of peril
untouched and unscathed, it was not that they were considered as harmless
and inoffensive people, which, indeed, would not have protected them, and
which assuredly they were not; it was not that they were mistaken for
wandering Moors and Bedouins, from whom they differed in feature and
complexion, but because, wherever they went, they were dreaded as the
possessors of supernatural powers, and as mighty sorcerers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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