A study of how Prince and the Gypsy King preserved the traditions and habits of the Gypsies (Roma) in the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth (XVIII century)
A study of how Prince and the Gypsy King preserved the traditions and habits of the Gypsies (Roma) in the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth (XVIII century)

Summary/Abstract: This article includes our reflection on different oral reminisces of the events, described in the article “The Bear’s Academy in the Care of the Romani Kings” which took place between 1778–1795 in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, in the territory of the Radziwill lands, Belarus. This was part of the very amazing cooperation between the Prince Karol Radziwill (Panie Kochanku) and the local Gypsy (Romani) King Yan Martinkevich in Mir and Nieswirz, partially in Smorgon (Belarus), which greatly benefited the Gypsy (Romani) Community. Namely, this collaboration contributed to preserving the traditions and customs of the Gypsies (Roma). The article describes the traditions and customs of the gypsy communities that were located on the territory of the royal land of the Radziwills. For the first time, the techniques of traditional medicine, which was in the service of healers and healers witch-doctors, are described. Some gypsy fortune-telling techniques used by gypsy fortune-tellers in traditional fortune-telling are revealed. The social groups recorded among the traditional gypsy community are described. The transition of the Gypsy communities that were under the rule of the prince and the Gypsy king in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (XVIIIth century) to the rule of Catherine II is described. The role of Princess Basia in attracting Roma children to school, as well as training them as apprentices.

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