Jarrett+-+CD+-+SP13

1. Richard Gyetvai 2. The Romani 3. My people speak the language of Romani, which can be divided into many smaller dialects. We as a people are very family-oriented and close. Loyalty to our families is one of our most important values. This shows we have a sense of community and cooperation that could be beneficial to the rest of the world. Since we were originally a very nomadic people, we are located throughout Europe and America. Thus, we have an understanding of many cultures. We are also very diverse in religion, allowing us to communicate with various practices. Our people have a long history of oppression. In addition to lesser discrimination, we were targeted during the Holocaust. Because of this, we understand the great value of rights in society, and value ours quite deeply. 4. Our culture would have some challenges in dealing with the outside world. We are a very superstitious people, one belief in particular being that of wuzho and marim. Wuzho means pure, and marim generally means some sort of taint. We observe body separation, which is essentially the idea that certain parts of the body are unclean. Various measures are taken to protect against marim, some of which may be deemed unreasonable to outsiders. We also have very specific procedures in dealing with outsiders, since they do not have the same practices, and we consider them ‘unclean.’ Some of our other practices may seem ‘primitive’ to outsiders, and they often misinterpret them as ‘witchcraft’. Outsiders also view us as thieves and con men, and due to this unfair bias, it is sometimes difficult to communicate.

"ROMA - ROMANI - ROM." Cultural Profiles. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. .

"The Religion, Culture& Status of the Roma." Religion, Culture and Oppression of the Roma (Gypsies). N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. < [|__http://www.religioustolerance.org/roma.htm__] >.

"The Romani." English-Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. .