Traveller Culture
Travellers’ culture obviously varies enormously. However there are some commonly occurring concerns and values amongst Travellers.
Protection of the Family
Strong family bonds and mutual support
Tendancy to stay close together due to likeliness of discrimination
Support and care of elderly within the family
Children are fiercely protected with limitations on social interaction
Loyalty to Traveller Community
- Traveller communities believe they have better, safer attitudes towards drugs and sexuality than wider society
- Institutions and state authority seen as an intrusion or a threat
- Fear of general discrimination/racism from non-Travellers
Patterns of Work
- Mainly self-employed
- Difference in roles between men and women; males are seen as chief providers; boys are encouraged to learn work skills at early age; women and girls tend to focus on home skills such as cleaning trailers, childcare and care of older family members
- Skills are passed on from mother to daughter and father to son.
Wider Cultural Heritage
- Travellers travel far to celebrate family events e.g. weddings and funerals.
- Attend traditional regional and national events e.g. horse fairs
- Romany language-although incomplete it is still used and valued
- Rely on spoken rather than written word
- Caravans and mobile homes are referred to as trailers with bathrooms in separate buildings
- Most boys, and increasingly girls, will learn how to box either with family members or in professional gyms