Description

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This book discusses narrative as an adaptive cultural mechanism among Gypsies in Serbia. As a key traditional trait of Serbian Gypsies, storytelling, conveyed along kin generations, influences the behavior of all who listen. Since their appearance in the Balkans centuries ago, an insecure social environment has shaped their cultural traditions, including that of storytelling. Their traditional stories reaffirm the strong identity with their kinship group, yet, at the same time, plead loudly for recognition from outsiders. The success achieved by Gypsies in maintaining themselves and their culture can be attributed, in large measure, to the power of their traditional stories.

About the Author

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The Author: Jelena Čvorovic completed her Ph.D. in socio-cultural anthropology at the Arizona State University in 2001. Her main research field are Serbian Gypsies and their traditions. She works as a research fellow at the Institute of Ethnography at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.