What is a travelling group called? And how do they live?

Question

I've heard/seen these groups who travel in large "family"-like groups, driving around and travelling, and making money off of mini-"businesses", such as selling hand-made clothing and jewelry, or doing tarot readings and divination, or playing music. But what are these groups called? I've always thought of them as Gypsies but I keep finding things that are entirely different when I research it. Are they travelling caravans, gypsies, or what?

I'm aware that groups like these were very popular with the hippie movement in the 60's. And how did they live? I always assumed that they would drive from city to city, selling their wares and services until they made enough to move on to the next city.

I don't know if I had enough description, I apologize. But thank you for answering! :)

Answer 1

These are the Roma, more commonly called Gypsies, and these groups are found throughout the Europe, plus Western countries such as Australia, Canada and the US. Most are now settled as the majority of Western countries do not understand groups of nomads. It's much easier to control a population if it stays in one place! But there are still many communities who try to stay on the road, travelling as a group and living in caravans.



In the UK and Ireland there are Irish Travellers, also called Tinkers or Gypsies, who live a similar lifestyle but are not related to the Romani people.



As for Hippies, they never lived this lifestyle. Many lived in communes, making jewellery or growing and making products which they sold at local markets. They were rarely on the move like the Roma.



@ Liam - as a former Hippie, I really need to say that the vast majority were not drop-outs or drug addicts. It might surprise you that many of the resoectable and staid looking older people you might see around you are, in fact, former Hippies. We might look pretty ordinary, but we haven't changed inside, we're just a little older.

Answer 2

They are basically gypsies, but often they get called itinerants, and a lot worse, because they have a bad reputation, some deserve it, some don't. They do get money from selling their crafts and labour, but some also get it illegally, thus giving them their bad name.

The "Hippies", were completely different, school dropouts and drug addicts who had no intention of working or belonging to the main stream population.

"Caravans" is usually reserved for Arab camel trains.

EDIT. The other name they are known by is "ROMANY GYPSIES" not Roma or other misspellings.

Answer 3

The correct term for them is Romney, not gypsy. They're found mostly across Europe but also have some in the UK.

Answer 4

They are called caravans. Gypsies are famous for doing so as you said, and they still do it.

Answer 5

Roma is another name.