THE WAY OF A GYPSY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 107, 22 May 1937, Page 11

THE WAY OF A GYPSY

PunisHment For Wife. -• >r* ■ "

Eumania is probably the only country in Europe where gypsies continue to lead a free and easy nomadic'life." They definitely refuse to settle down and become "professional gypsies" for the benefit of tourists in* searcli of ' 'locul . . » , , colour, ! ! ' Instcad, " they move from place to place • in ox-driven carts, their pigs, goats, ducks and dogs faithfully following them. They talk their own language and cling to their strange, pagan customs which often bring them-in conflict with the authorities. The following" case is a striking illustration of ; the laws prevailing among the Eumanian gypsies: Alexander Varga cut off with a kitchen Lnife the

nose "of his'pretty, -black-eyed wife\ Brought before the court a few days ago, he explained that it is the custom of his tribe -to -punish in .this manneU unf aithf ul - spouses. .The noseless; wife, who was the prhu cipal .witness for the prosecution, not; only confirmcd . Varga 's.statements, but; also astonished the court by declaring; that slie willingly submitted to the painful operation. "Without my nose T shall no longer tempt men and will remain a good wife for the rest of my life," she'repentingly told tho judge. Nevertheless, Varga was sentenced trt six months' imprisonment.