A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of the Gypsies Part 9

Four Staur, Shtar Shtiar Chaur

Five Panji Panch Paunch

Six Shove Shove Chaye

Seven Heftan Efta Saath

Eight Okto Aoth Aut

Nine Henya Enia Noh Nu

Ten Desh Desh Dus, Doshe (Bengalese)

Man Raye, gazo Ram Ma.n.u.sh Ma.n.u.sch Manoosha, (Bengalese)

Woman Raunee gougee Romee Rendee, Raunee

Head Bold-uroo shero Shero Schiero Seer, Sirr

Eyes Yackau, yock Yack Jaka Okhyo (Bengalese)

Nose Bol-nak Nack Nak Nauck

Hair Ballau, bolow Bal Bal Baul, Bal

Teeth Danau Dan Daunt, Dant (Bengalese)

Ear Kanaue Can Kaun

Day Dewas, Devas Deeves Deendeewas (Mahratta)

Night Rautee Rateee Raut, roat

White Pauno Parnee Paandra (Mahratta)

Sheep Baukro Bakro Bhare

Hog Baulo Balo Palo

Fish Matcho Muteho Matchee, Mutchee

Bind Cheriko Chiriiklo Chereah

House Kair Ker Ghurr

Gold Soona-kai Sonna

Silver Roop Roopau

Brand, in his observations on Popular Antiquities, Vol. II. page 432, observes: "The Gypsies, as it should seem from some striking proofs derived from their language, were originally from Hindostan, where they are supposed to have been of the lowest cla.s.s of Indians, named Pariars, or as they are called in Hindostan, Suders. They are thought to have emigrated about A.D. 1408, or 1409, when Timur Beg ravaged India for the purpose of spreading the Mahometan religion. On this occasion so many were made slaves, and put to death, that a universal panic took place, and a very great number of terrified inhabitants endeavoured to save themselves by flight.

"As every part to the north and east was beset by the enemy, it is most probable that the country below Multan, to the mouth of the Indus, was the first asylum and rendezvous of the fugitive Suders. This is called the country of Zinganen. Here they were safe, and remained so till Timur's return from the victory of the Ganges. Then it was that they entirely quitted the country, and probably with them a considerable number of the natives, which will explain the meaning of their original name."

In the seventh Vol. of the Asiatic Researches, page 470, Captain David Richardson says of the _Panchperee_, or Budee'a Nuts: "'Tis probable there will be found in their manners, a stronger similitude to the Gypsies of Europe, than in those of any other which may come under review. They have no particular system of religion, adopting with indifference that of the village near to which they happen to be encamped. In the upper provinces of Hindostan, the little encampments of these people are frequently very regular and neat, being there formed of the Sirkee entirely. Each apartment, though not much larger than a mastiff's kennel, has its own particular enclosure, or court-yard; generally erected in such a manner, as to become a species of circ.u.mvallation to the whole portable hamlet.

"One cannot help wondering where so many men, women, and children, and other domestic animals manage to sleep; or shelter themselves from the storms which sometimes a.s.sail these itinerant people. The men are remarkably athletic and active, and also nimble and adroit, in every kind of slight of hand. Many of the subdivisions of this cla.s.s of men, pay little, or no attention to cleanliness, or any restrictions in diet; eating dead jackalls, bullocks, horses, or any kind of food procurable.

"The women do not attend the men during their juggling exploits, but have a peculiar department allotted to themselves; which consists of the practice of physic, cupping, palmistry, curing disorders of the teeth, and marking the skin of the Hindoo women, an operation termed G.o.dna.

They have two languages peculiar to themselves; one intended for the use only of the craftsman, the other general among men, women, and children.

"The Hindostanie is the basis of both; the first is general, being a mere transposition or change of syllables; and the second apparently, a systematic conversion of a few letters; but which will be best elucidated by the following specimen, which contains twenty-two words."

After which, he says: "I find these people in Colebrook's arrangement of the Hindoo Cla.s.ses, mentioned in the sixth cla.s.s, under the head of _Nata_, Bazeegurs; and in Sir William Jones's translation of the Ordinances of Menu, _Munoo_, Chapter 10.

"I shall now subjoin a short parallel between the Gypsies of Europe, and the people I have described. Both the _Gypsies_ and the _Nuts_ are generally a wandering race of beings, seldom having a fixed habitation.

They have each a language peculiar to themselves. That of the Gypsies is undoubtedly a species of Hindostanie; as well as that of the Nuts. In Europe, it answers all the purposes of concealment.

"The Gypsies have their King, the Nuts their _Nardar Boutoh_; they are equally formed into companies, and their peculiar employments are exactly similar; dancing, singing, music, palmistry, &c. They are both considered as thieves; at least that division of the Nuts, whose manners come nearest the Gypsies.-In matters of religion they appear equally indifferent, and as to food, we have seen that neither the Gypsies nor the Budee'a Nuts are very choice.

"Though, in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Grellmann's Theory is thought slightly of, the similarity of language being deemed but inconclusive evidence; yet in this instance, and even in opposition to such authority, I will venture to consider it, as forming a basis of the most substantial kind. It is not the accidental coincidence of a few words, but the whole vocabulary he produces, differs not so much from the common Hindostanie, as provincial dialects of the same country do from each other.

"Grellmann, from a want of knowledge in the Hindostanie; as to its provincial dialects, lost many opportunities of producing the proper word in comparison with the Gypsey one.

"The following list of words was taken from the Annual Register of 1784, or 1785, with a few I have now subjoined from Grellmann.-In some of the instances where he has failed of producing the corresponding Hindostanie word, the supply of them will, I hope, prove the language of the Gypsies, and that of Hindostan to be the same, or very intimately connected with each other.

_Gypsey_. _Hindostanie_. _English_.

Bebee Beebe Aunt, _a respectful feminine termination from baba_, _Father_.

p.a.w.nee Paniee Brook, Drink, Water

Cauliban Kalaburn Black

Davies, Devus Dewus Day

Rattie Rat Dark night

Can Kan The Ear

Dad Dada Father

Mutchee Muchee Fish

Bootsee Buholsee Great

Gur Ghur House