The centerpiece of medieval Albanian art started with the successor of the Roman Empire, namely the Byzantine Empire that ruled the great majority of Albania and the Balkan Peninsula.

The Roma in Romania (popularly known as Gypsies) is one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Romania. They represent 3% of the total population, being the second largest ethnic minority group in Romania, after the Hungarian one.

Today, members of the Roma community are still victims of discrimination, which prevents them from being properly educated and integrated into society.

 

Considered nomads, the Roma managed to develop a series of traditions, which were passed down from generation to generation. Although most Roma have given up some of their habits, adapting their way of life with the majority, some traditions have managed to pass the test of time.

 These are some of the traditions and superstitions of the Roma community:

 •No one is allowed to touch the bowl in which the head of the family washes his face. 

In ”ursari” families, for example, the most important person is the father, considered the good luck charm for the whole family. The bowl cannot be used by any family member;

•The “lăutari” do not borrow their instruments, because it is believed that they will lose their luck if they do so;

 

 

 

•Pregnant young women have to cover their bellies when they see their fathers-in-law;

•In the past, in the ”gabori” families, whenever a child was born, they used to make a fire in front of their tent or their house, to protect the little one from ”the evil spirits”;

 • If a woman gives birth, she will not be allowed to leave the house for six weeks;

 •The girls were taught by their mothers to wash clothes, to cook and to take care of the house from the age of 6-7, because at the age of 13-14 they were already getting married;

•In some places, on the wedding day, the bride's hair is untied and then washed by twelve unmarried young women, after which it is anointed with rose oil, walnut leaf, lily of the valley and chestnut peel.

 

Their clothes are also part of their tradition. The typical Roma woman wears a long, multi-layered and multicolored skirt, large earrings, long, braided hair and sometimes a flower in her hair. They often wear the colourred because it is considered to be lucky.Women also wear high-value jewelry.

 

The Roma cuisine is influenced by different cuisines. Their most popular dish is the Şah Hai Mas. The ingredients are: pork chops, turkey wings, onions, carrots, succotash, pickled cabbage, rice, bay leaves and thyme.

Another recipe preserved from generation to generation in Roma families is the Saviac, a delicious pie with salty cheese. It is very simple to make, you only need hot water, flour, salt and salty cheese.