Page:Folklore1919.djvu/115

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THE PROBLEM OF THE GIPSIES

Sigynnæ, Sequani, Zigeuner.

BY DR. F. W. RUSSELL.

Analysis:

1. The Gipsy Problem stated.

2. The Sigynnæ of antiquity: their iron weapons and horsemanship.

3. Primitive Habitat of the Zigeuner or Gipsies in the same region.

4. Are we to identify the two?

5. Gitani language tells against this surmise.

6. Kindred castes in India.

7. De Goeje's theory of Hindu origin (c. 800 a.d.).

8. The Gipsies, as an accursed race, condemned to wander for ever.

9. Their Exodus westward after 1400: as pilgrims or strolling players.

10. Their Dances in Mystery-Plays at Christmas: ? in lieu of penance.

11. Their patronage a valuable fief: at the same moment both persecuted and protected.

12. The Wandering Jew: a later forgery.

13. Our ignorance of Gipsy Religion: barons certainly good Catholics: change of feeling towards the nomads. Their age of Persecution:

14. Even in Rumania, Vendible Serfs.

15. Have they any peculiar Tenets in Religion?

16. Can we trace pagan survivals?

17. Modern Decay of their Language and Local Deflections.

18. Restatement of Chief Problems (racial and linguistic).