Terry Buckalew, age 10, of Van Buren, Ark., for his question:
WHO ARE GYPSIES?
At the present time about 3,000 gypsies live in caves in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Granada, Spain. Some of the caves make single room homes, while others have as many as 20 rooms. Churches, schools and stores are also located in caves. Many visitors go to the gypsy community where they are entertained for a price with singing and dancing.
A large group of people called gypsies wandered for many years through Iran to Armenia, Syria, Egypt and North Africa. Their ancestors probably came from India in the 1300s.
In the 1500s the gypsies reached Europe, with many of them settling in Romania, Hungary, Spain, France, Russia and England. A small band of them crossed from Europe to North America.
Some of the gypsies have settled down and established permanent homes, but most of them continue a stateless, nomadic existence. They travel from one place to another often and live according to their own laws.
Most gypsies have kept the physical characteristics of their ancestors: They average about 5 feet 4 inches in height and have large black or brown eyes and wavy dark hair.
Gypsies have been called Children of Little Egypt, Maniches, Romanies and Tziganes.
Customs and traditions are jealously guarded by the gypsies. Even when they settle permanently, they tend to keep within a restricted community with their own people.
The Romanies speak a language that is based on the ancient Sanskrit or Prakrit. Other gypsies speak the language of the country in which they live.
Gypsy men from the earliest days have tended to be skilled musicians. In addition, many are experts in the metalworking, blacksmithing and horse trades. Those living in America tend to follow country fairs and carnivals.
Tradition seems to point to happy and carefree living for the gypsies, but it hasn't always been that perfect. During the dark days of World War II, for example, thousands of Hungarian, Czech, Romanian and Polish gypsies were murdered by the Nazis in concentration camps.
However, the gypsy is still associated with the happy life of the carefree wanderer. And he and his friends help to keep the picture alive by gathering each night around campfires in many parts of the world to dance and sing songs.
Gypsy clothing has its distinctive characteristics. The girls often wear bright colors with braid and embroidery. Lots of gold bangles and jewelry are also worn.
There are many stories told of the bold pranks and stealing of the gypsies. While some of the tales may be true, many of them have become distorted in the retelling. Certainly not all gypsies are dishonest nor do they spend all of their time singing and dancing.