Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-02-22
ARE AN ODD PEOPLE.
TZICANES OF HUNGARY HAVE
NO COuNTERPARTS
Retniu the Habits of 13nrbnrians III
Spitc of "Reminiscences - Rainent
More Scant than Strict Decency Dice

Among the many races WilIcH H'"Ne
up the population of that heterogeneous
geographical expression termed the
Austro- lIungarian empire certainly the
most interesting are those curious peo-
plc called Tziganes in Hungary, bohe-
nians in France and gyps3es In England
and the United States. Hungary is the
home of the TZiganes. in so far us they
have any home. In all other European
countries they were prosecuted for cen
turtles as being emissnries OF the evil
one and enemies of Christianity. but
Hungary took pity on them and treated
the wanderers like lost children. There
are now about 10000 Of these Tziganes
in Hungary.
One OF the favorte abodes of these
strange people is near the frontier OF
Croatia. 1t is there that the typical
Tziganos may best be seen. Their
"camps" are always set up at some dis
lance from the nearest town or village;
often IN close proximity to some forest.
The Tziyane huts-for they are nothing
more consist of single room, unless
the owner is extremely we'll to do, and
are generally devoid Of furniture. The
TZiyanes eat and sleep on the bare
boards. AT all times of the day there Is
Il smollering fire in the hut, over which
hangs a sandstone pot, for the Tzlgane
has no fixed hour for his meals, but eats
whenever he feels hungry. The ordl-
nary bill of fare consists OF potatoes.
stews, milk and lard. On festive occa-
sions such ttbits are INDUCED In as
hedgehogs, foxes and squirrels. Cats
are considered by the Tzganes Il prince
ly diet and they train dogs to hunt
hedgehogs and foxes.
Tzigane women, as Il rule. go about
half naked the young girls wearing
nothing but a small apron, excepting
when they go to the neighboring town.
The men wear but little clothing. and
until the time Of their marriage (be-
tween II and IL years of age) they also
go about almost naked. After mar
rage, however. they attire themselves
In the gaudy Hungarian national cos
tune, Of which they are very proud.
Cast-off garments of some Magyar no.
bleman they particularly prize, and
when they are able to obtain a bright
red coat their satisfaction Is complete.
The TZiganes have horror Of work or
restraint of any kind. Even those who
have fixed residence like to roam
about when they feel so inclined. So
strong Is this wandering instinct with
them that they have TO word in their
language to signify remain" Most OF
the trades they adopt are suitable for a
nomadlc life. They are either horse
dealers, blacksmiths. sheep shearers or,
and above all, begyars. 1t Is quite I'M
possible to take a country drive
| through some provinces of Hungary
without coming across band Of Til
games, some Que Of whom will surely
| follow q carriage for half an hour or
more until he has received coin. The
Tziganes have given themselves the
nickname Of poor men" and the habit
Of begging is SO thoroughly rooted In
them that even Well-tO-dO members of
their race, whom one occasionally meets
in BudaPesth, driving pure blooded
horses and wearing costly jewels, can
not resist the temptation Of asking for
money.
Many unsuccessful attempts have
been made to rest a II the vaeabond pro-
pensities Of the Tziganes. Emperor Jo-
seph IL. once tried to compel them to
have fixed residence. and allotted them
land. distributed agricultural imp!e-
ments among them and ordered them to
cultivate their acres. But instead Of
taking up their residence In the COM
Portable homes they had been presented
with the TZiganes turned the houses
into stables for their horses and cows
and set up tents near by for their own
use. To prevent the corn given them
for seed from sprouting they boiled 1t.
But the Emperor was not discouraged.
He abolished the Tzigane language, as
he had already done away with the
Magyar language; did away with the
very name Of Tzigane. and finally took
their children from them to be educated
by German and Hungarian farmers.
who were to bring them up according to
a strict code Of discipline. But the little
Tziganes grew up with all the instincts
Of their race. and at the first opportuni-
ty escaped and rejolned their parents.
4 few years ago Tzgane who had
been adopted as a child in an Austrian
family entered the army and rose to the
rank Of captain. One day. without any
warning, he disappeared. and six
months later he was found among a
band of wandering Tziganes. I.iszt, the
great pianist. once tried to tame young
Tzigane. He took the boy to Paris
gave him teachers and tried to bring
him up in a conventional manner, bur
the effort was useless and the young
bohemian had to be sent back to his
native land. There are a few excep.
tions which prove the rule, for In Tran.
sylvanln some peasants are Tziganes
and enjoy well-deserved reputation
for thrift and intelligence. Others in
Pennsylvania have become wood carv.
ers. nasons and dentists.-IIome Jour.
nal.