A History of the Romani People
Grade 4-6–Kyuchukov and Hancock, both Romanies, offer a brief, useful introduction to their people. Misnamed Gypsies since the 15th century because they were mistakenly thought to be Egyptians, the Romani, and their customs, have been deeply misunderstood. In clear language, the two-page chapters explain their way of life. Marriage, childbirth, occupations (fortune-telling, woodworking, bear-training), traditional law, and death are touched upon. Historical hardships, from mistrust by local populaces to persecution by the Nazis, are also discussed. One statement, Even today....In some places we are forced to live with curfews in walled ghettos with no running water or electricity, lacks documentation. It would be helpful to know where and why these abuses occur. Endpapers show Romani population around the world. Plentiful, full-color photographs, both contemporary and archival, show these people as hardworking, celebratory, and family-oriented. A boxed sample of the Romani language is included. Anne Wallace Sharp'sThe Gypsies(Gale, 2003) offers more in-depth information.–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.