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Dictionary of Gypsy Mythology: Charms, Rites, and Magical Traditions of the Roma by Claude Lecouteux (Hardcover, 2018)

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Explore the fascinating world of Gypsy mythology with this comprehensive dictionary by Claude Lecouteux. Discover the charms, rites, and magical traditions of the Roma through this detailed guide. With 192 pages of informative content, this hardcover book is a must-have for anyone interested in the subject. The Dictionary of Gypsy Mythology is a valuable resource for those studying mythology, education, or anthropology. Published by Inner Traditions Bear Factory AND Company in 2018, this book is 229 mm in height and 152 mm in width, with a weight of 456 g. Perfect for adult learning and university students, this book is an excellent addition to any collection.

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A comprehensive A-to-Z reconstruction of the oral tradition of the Rom--gypsies--based on sources never before available in English * Presents the origin myths and magical traditions of the gypsies, including their legendary ties to Egypt, animal ancestors, and tree spirits * Examines the three major settings of gypsy folktales--the forest, the waters, and the mountain--and shows how their world is full of spirits * Shows how the religious concepts of the Rom testify to a profound syncretism of the pagan traditions and Christianity Although their own myths and their common name point to Egyptian origins for the gypsies, the Rom, as they call themselves, originated in India, as evidenced by studies of their language. They arrived in Europe in the ninth century and spread across the continent from East to West, reaching England in the 15th century and Scandinavia by the end of the 16th century. A nomadic people, these wanderers were reviled by local populaces wherever they went and regarded as misfits, intruders, foreigners, and thieves. Drawing on a number of sources never before available outside of Eastern Europe, Claude Lecouteux reconstructs the gypsy oral tradition to provide a comprehensive A-to-Z look at gypsy mythology, including their folktales, rites, songs, nursery rhymes, jokes, and magical traditions. His main source is material collected by Heinrich Adalbert von Wlislocki (1856-1907), an ethnologist who lived with gypsies in Romania, Transylvania, and Hungary in the latter half of the 19th century. He presents the origin myths of the gypsies, legends which form the ancestral memory of the gypsy tribes and often closely touch on their daily life. Lecouteux explores the full range of supernatural beings that inhabit the gypsy world, including fairies, undines, ogres, giants, dog-people, and demons, and he examines the three major settings of gypsy folktales--the forest, the waters, and the mountain, which they worshiped as a sacred being in its own right. He also reveals how coexisting with peoples of different religions led the gypsies to adapt or borrow stories and figures from these groups, and he shows how the religious concepts and sacred stories of the Rom testify to a profound syncretism of pagan traditions and Christianity. Complete with rare illustrations and information from obscure sources appearing for the first time in English, this detailed reference work represents an excellent resource for scholars and those seeking to reconnect to their forgotten gypsy heritage.