MY STORY: We are gypsies – with a gift
Husband and wife ‘George’ and ‘Isabella’ say they are two Romanis (gypsies) who, for the past 20 years, have travelled around South Africa telling people’s fortunes through palm, aura and tarot card readings
The word ‘gypsy’ is often associated with brightly coloured caravans in misty meadows, occupied by men and women draped in jewels and baubels.
But husband and wife ‘George’ and ‘Isabella’ say they are two Romanis (gypsies) who, for the past 20 years, have travelled around South Africa telling people’s fortunes through palm, aura and tarot card readings.
Although their mysterious lives are misunderstood by many, they are the furthest thing from the preconceived notion of a typical gypsey couple.
Speaking to the ZO from inside their caravan, George and Isabella explained their gifts.
‘To read someone’s palm you have to be gifted. You cannot learn how to do this, you have to born with the gift.
‘Palm readings can reveal a person’s past, characteristics, life lessons and problems that they have or will face,’ said George.
Isabella says that tarot cards are used for more in depth information.
‘With palm readings you get general information. With aura readings there’s a little bit more detail, but with tarot cards you can basically give any information that a person wants to know.
‘We mostly deal with people who are going through divorce and are trying to get their loved ones back in their lives,’ she said.
People wanting to find out whether they are with their soul mates, if they are going to be successful, insight into their lifeline or whether they are going to ever win the Lotto are the most frequently asked questions the couple deal with.
About 11 million people worldwide, according to the New York Times, belong to an ethnic group known as the Roma or Romani, more commonly called Gypsies or travellers.
Roma (gypsies) originated in the Punjab region of northern India as a nomadic people and entered Europe between the eighth and tenth centuries CE.
They were called ‘gypsies’ because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt. This minority is made up of distinct groups called ‘tribes’ or ‘nations’.
Because of continued discrimination, many do not publicly acknowledge their roots and only reveal themselves to other Romani.
‘People don’t like our Romani lifestyle; they are very prejudiced against us because of it.
‘We often find this is the case in Europe and America, but we are beginning to see the same trend emerge in South Africa as well,’ said George, alluding to the concentration camps of World War 2 and the racist regime during apartheid.
‘I thought we left Poland – and apartheid – behind us long ago…’
Do you want to tell your story in our ‘My Story’ feature with the objective of raising awareness and understanding of different life experiences? All experiences will be treated with extreme confidentiality. Email laurie@zob.co.za
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
