The official policy towards the gypsy population remained strict and segregative until the year 1772. A new law adopted then aimed for the assimilation of the gypsies. This was to be achieved by stopping the segregation and by education. The assimilation process did not succeed completely, however. The traditional gypsy families are very closely tied.
Several generations tend to live under one roof.
Traditionally the gypsy families have also tended to live a nomadic life and they ve been constantly on the move. The importance of the family and relatives. Old traditional habits, such as a respect for the old and tidyness The culture of the gypsies is first and foremust a culture of habits and human relations. Here it differs from the institutionalized and materialized western culture. On the left an old finnish gypsy couple wearing their traditional costumes.