Synopses & Reviews
A disapora spread over five continents, Gypsies have yet to enter the American public consciousness, yet they have been arriving since the late sixteenth century. Columbus brought several, forcibly transported to the Colonies, and many Americans today may count, unknown, a Gypsy or two among their forebears. A legacy of misfortune and mistrust lives on in Gypsy blood, and glimpses into their lives are rare. From 1966 to 2000 Carol Miller?drawn in by a Gypsy matriarch?lived among the Machvaia during their Heyday. Here are her stories about creating a bounty of good luck made by good times: three-day weddings, opulent slavi (saint days), baptisms, holidays, parties, and fabulous offerings for the Dead Ones. From Baby Steve and Alice to Big Smith, from Pretty Bobby, Old Kaboka and Puro Bahto, from Julie and Jelly John to Luludj, Mek and the inimitable Lola, The Heyday,” this particular Heyday, is done, and we will not see its like again.
Synopsis
A rare inside look at Roma culture, ritual and belief at its peak in America. Gypsies conjure the romance of a nomadic life, a nostalgia for a simpler time. Gypsies have yet to enter the American consciousness, yet they have been arriving since the late sixteenth century. A legacy of misfortune and mistrust lives on in Gypsy blood, and glimpses into their lives are rare. A young anthropologist drawn by a Gypsy matriarch had no idea her life's work would be witness to this hidden culture and its dilution over decades of cultural adaptation. Here are her stories.
Synopsis
A disapora spread over five continents, Gypsies have yet to enter the American consciousness. They have been arriving since the sixteenth century, and many Americans may count, unknown, a Gypsy or two among their forebears. Legacies of mistrust live in Gypsy blood, so glimpses into their lives are rare. From 1966 to 2000 Carol Miller lived among the Machvaia. Here are their stories: three-day weddings, opulent saint days, baptisms, and fabulous rituals. From Baby Steve to Big Smith, from Pretty Bobby, and Jelly John to the inimitable Lola, The Heyday,” is done, and we will not see its like again.
About the Author
Carol Miller is an anthropologist who has studied the Machvaia Roma of California. Gypsy ritual, belief and celebration are the topics of most of her scholarly publications. Carol Miller lives in Seattle.