The Most Colorful Gypsy Caravans

Published December 3, 2013
Updated September 18, 2014

In the mid-19th century, nomadic groups like the gypsies, now called Roma, used wagons as housing since it allowed them to easily move from location to location. While many contemporary Roma individuals have permanent homes, Romani wagons are making a comeback among individuals who hope to reconnect with their rich, wandering heritage and enjoy the great outdoors.

Gypsy Caravans Blue

Source: Blogspot

After facing centuries of persecution, contemporary Roma rarely invite outsiders into their way of life. Instead, many carry out secretive, removed lives in communities where people share their Romani customs, beliefs and traditions. Recently, some reality television shows have allowed the general population to catch a glimpse of the Romani lifestyle. Of course, these shows slice and dice truth in editing labs, and therefore only touch on the tip of the Romani culture iceberg.

Roma caravans, also known as vardos, were traditionally horse-drawn wagons used first by the British Romani. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, many of them a visual representation of the ornate, colorful aesthetic often associated with Romani culture.

History Of Caravan

Source: Wikipedia

Gypsy Caravans Display

Source: Flickr

author
Kiri Picone
author
Kiri Picone holds a B.A. in English and creative writing from Pepperdine University and has been writing for various digital publishers for more than 10 years.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.