"Romany Tradition in Somerset."

Description

Photograph of people gathered at a Gypsy/Traveller wagon on fire.


On the reverse is the following:

Typed transcript:

" Romany Tradition in Somerset. The ceremonial burning, in true Romany tradition, of a caravan which belonged to Mrs. Eliza Woods, a gypsy “ruler” who died at Haselbury Plucknett, near Crewkerne, Somerset recently. She was buried at Yeovil cemetery on Thursday."


Newspaper cutting "Above: ceremonial burning of dead chiefs caravan"


Index categories: "F.features-national characters-Gypsies"


Stamped:

"Used 18 May 1963, TODAY."

" On loan from Odhams press periodicals. Holborn"

"Copyright Central Press Photos Ltd. 6 & & Gough Sq, Fleet St. "

Additional description

"Possessions might be given as heirlooms on deathbed and then what was left was burnt. Many years ago, they would have burnt the body as well. In the 1960s, a person probably died in their wagon [caravan]. Undertakers would have been called, death registered, body dressed and wake held before burial. Between death and burial the family would sit with the body, it would never be left unattended – , people might be in groups of 2 or 3 to pay respects on rotation. It's still what happens today. "

"It's done because people were superstitious – they believed burning stopped ghosts or spirits. Death was sending them on to a better place and the wake is a celebration of life"

"Sad to see the burning, it feels like destroying history but it is tradition."

"In the photograph you can see women at back, men at front of group. It was the man’s duty to burn trailer. Usually at funerals men and women congregate in different places, e.g. women in church, men in churchyard."


"It looks unusual to be burning the caravan so close to other caravans but then it looks wintry so it might have been too boggy to move."



Comments are a summary of discussions with members from Gypsy and Traveller communities based in Yorkshire including members of the Cunningham, Hanrahan, Mulvanny, Rennard and Taylor families. (Re-visiting Collections Workshop Oct 2016).

Access and usage

Reproduction

Access

This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.

The catalogue titles or descriptions in this collection may contain terminology and phrases that would now be considered unacceptable. Where present these original terms continue to be included to preserve historical accuracy and provide social and historical context.

Notes on terminology and spellings

 

Please note that there may be differences in the terms used to describe the particular communities represented in this collection, many of which have changed over time and may continue to change.

 

At the time this catalogue was created there are many definitions that identify different cultural and ethnic groups with their varied histories, traditions and associations with a travelling life.

 

These can include but are not limited to  those that have been recognised in UK law as ethnic groups; English and Welsh (Romany) Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers; and non-ethnic groups that consider themselves distinct even if these have not been recognised in UK law, e.g. New Travellers, Showmen and Bargees. Outside of the UK 'Gypsy' may also be considered offensive  and ‘Roma’ is often used instead as the universally preferred term although this term also represents a wide range of distinct groups, (e.g. Sinti, Manouche).

 

It is our intention to respectfully and (where possible) accurately refer to these different communities in the catalogue. For this reason we ask you to note the following with regards to the descriptions in this catalogue that have been based on these current definitions:

 

1)  As many of these definitions have only come into being since the collection was created/1st catalogued, please be aware that original descriptions may not accurately reflect the group to which it refers, (e.g. the word 'Gypsy,' may have been used to describe those now recognised as Irish Travellers/Roma).  Therefore it is worth searching under various terms, e.g. 'Romany' and 'Traveller,' to broaden the scope of search results as well as using the alternative historical spellings, 'Gipsy,' 'Gipsie,' or ‘Romani.’

2) Where no original description exists and it is not possible to properly identify a distinct group they will be described as "Gypsy Traveller" (within UK setting), "Roma" for those living/recently originating outside the UK or "Gypsy, Traveller, Roma " for origin/locations unknown. References to any non - ethnic groups will similarly be capitalised to respectfully acknowledge all groups.

Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.

Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.

Physical and technical conditions

Negative held separately for preservation purposes.

Related people and organisations

Related places

WARNING: many of our records have not been classified by geographical location. So if you search our catalogue by geographical location using the links below then you are unlikely to find all relevant records. But you will find some...