Here is a comprehensive list of all things that are often labeled as, but are definitely not Romani, and thus, not “Gypsy”.
1. Princesses: there is no such thing as Romani royalty, despite the fact that it is a common belief. There are some self-appointed Romani “Kings” and “Queens”, but these are usually just prominent members of a particular community. There are no royal families or royal bloodlines within Romani culture, so “Gypsy” princesses do not exist.
2. Crystals: crystal healing was historically used by some East Asian cultures, as well as a few Native American cultures. Crystals are neat; they are quite aesthetically pleasing. However, the “crystal healing” trend is an appropriation of various indigenous religions and often involves the use of “chakras”, which is also appropriative. Crystals have nothing to do with Romani people and we have no history of using crystals in this manner.
3. Bindis: we originated in India, and yes, some Romani people still use facial adornments similar to the bindi, they are not bindis and the bindi is not Romani, nor is it “Gypsy”.
4. Tribal prints: “tribal” anything is often the appropriation and commodification of Native American/First Nations, and various African patterns. Aside from the fact that the term, “tribal”, has many racist undertones, I have yet to see any sort of “tribal” print that has anything to do with traditional Romani motifs and patterns.
5. Kuchi coins: or really, anything Kuchi. The Kuchi people are a nomadic ethnic group from Afghanistan. They are of no relation to Romani people and neither is any of their traditional jewelry or clothing. Despite the fact that they are nomadic, they are not “Gypsies”.
6. Tarot cards: these are an Italian invention. Sure, they have been used by some Roma in the fortune telling business, but the cards themselves are not Romani at all.
7. The nazar: those blue “evil eye” charms and amulets that are becoming very popular are definitely not “Gypsy”. They are very specific to Mediterranean cultures, like Greece, Turkey, Egypt, etc.. Some Roma from Mediterranean and Balkan countries do own nazar amulets due to cultural exchange and assimilation, however, they are not traditionally part of our culture. We have a concept of the evil eye, but our beliefs and traditions regarding the evil eye are more similar to those held in India and Pakistan, not the Mediterranean and West Asia.
8. Hamsa & Hand of Fatima: “Hamsa hands” are not Romani at all. They are a cultural and religious feature from MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) countries. They are significant in both Islam and Judaism. Muslim and Jewish Roma may use the symbol for religious reasons, but it was never part of Romani culture. It is not at all “Gypsy”.
9. Dream catchers: I really shouldn’t have to put this here, but apparently I do. Dream catchers are a specific to several Native American/First Nations cultures and anyone making, selling, or buying non-Native made dream catchers is engaging in cultural appropriation. Period.
10. Medicine bags: medicine bags of any kind are also not part of Romani culture and not “Gypsy”. Along with dream catchers, medicine bags belong to Native American and First Nations cultures. I understand that they are listed in Patrinella Cooper’s book and she claims they are part of Romani religious practices, but that is completely false.
11. Magic: Magic, Magick, Wicca, Paganism, etc.. none of these are Romani. None of these are “Gypsy”. Our traditional religious beliefs are rooted in Hinduism and contain Christian and Islamic influences. That’s it.
12. Peasant blouses and dresses: these fashions are not related to traditional Romani dress. They are not at all “Gypsy”. The name of this type of clothing is pretty self-explanatory, as well, so I am not sure why everyone insists that peasant blouses and dresses are “Gypsy”.
13. Flower crowns: while flower and wreath crowns are used for certain religious and cultural events by certain Romani communities, it is only due to Slavic influences.
14. Feathers: Roma have never used feathers in any traditional motifs, nor as part of our traditional clothing or jewelry. Feathers are not “Gypsy”. They are just.. feathers.
15. Belly-dance: belly dancing originated in the Middle East and is a feature of various MENA cultures. Because Romani and Domari people have found a niche in the entertainment industry, some Roma and Dom living in MENA countries practice and perform belly-dance. However, belly-dancing is not traditionally part of Romani culture. Traditional Romani dancing is not belly-dance. Belly-dance is not “Gypsy”.
16. Tie-dye: tie-dying, as it is called in the Western world, has roots in parts of Asia and Africa. In fact, the entire method of tie-dying was not introduced to the United States until 1909. Our modern concept of “tie-dye” was not popularized until the late 1960s. The method of tie-dying was an appropriation of dying methods from the previously mentioned regional cultures. Nothing about tie-dying has to do with Romani people.
17. Moroccan “pouf” ottomans: these cool-looking leather ottomans hail from North Africa. They’re super neat and while floor cushions of sorts are a fairly common thing in many Romani homes, these are specific to a certain region of the world and they are not at all “Gypsy”.
18. Your soul: unless you are ethnically Romani, no, your soul is not “Gypsy”.. no ifs, ands, or buts.
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