The Time of the Gypsies

The Time of the Gypsies presents an ethnographic study of Rom (Gypsy) communities in Hungary during the late Communist period. Based on fieldwork conducted in the 1980s, anthropologist Michael Stewart lived among a Vlach Rom settlement and documented their daily lives, traditions, and interactions with the wider Hungarian society. Stewart examines the economic activities, social structures, and cultural practices that defined Rom identity during this period. The text explores how the Rom maintained their distinct way of life through horse trading, music, celebrations, and specific approaches to work and commerce, even as the Communist state attempted to force their assimilation. The research reveals the complex dynamics between Rom communities and non-Rom Hungarians, tracking their negotiations of power, prejudice, and survival in a changing political landscape. Details of Rom family life, gender roles, and community leadership provide insights into how this minority group preserved their autonomy. This ethnography contributes to broader discussions about cultural resistance, identity maintenance, and the relationship between marginalized groups and state power. Stewart's work raises questions about assimilation versus cultural preservation in modernizing societies.

Readers consistently note the book's depth of ethnographic research and intimate portrayal of Rom communities in Hungary during socialism's collapse. Multiple reviews point to Stewart's ability to balance academic analysis with engaging narrative. Positives from readers: - Clear explanations of Roma social structures and traditions - Strong historical context about Hungarian socialism - Detailed firsthand accounts of daily life - Accessible writing style for non-academics Common criticisms: - Some sections become overly theoretical - Limited coverage of women's perspectives - Focus on one specific Roma group may not represent broader experiences Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 reviews) One anthropology student noted: "Stewart's observations about horse-trading and masculinity opened my eyes to Roma economic systems." A reviewer on Academia.edu criticized "an overemphasis on male-dominated public spaces while neglecting domestic spheres." Several readers mentioned the book serves as a useful introduction to Roma ethnography despite its narrow geographic focus.

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🔹 The book emerged from Michael Stewart's 18-month immersive fieldwork living among Hungarian Rom (Gypsies) in the 1980s, during which he learned their language and participated in their daily lives. 🔹 The book's title references how the Rom people have a distinct concept of time that differs from mainstream society, viewing it more cyclically and in relation to significant social events rather than linear calendar time. 🔹 Stewart challenges the common stereotype that Rom are work-shy by demonstrating how they maintain economic independence through horse trading, dealing, and various forms of entrepreneurship. 🔹 The author reveals how Rom communities maintain their cultural identity through specific practices of speaking, eating, and trading, rather than through traditional territorial or political boundaries. 🔹 The book earned the 1988 Amaury Talbot Prize from the Royal Anthropological Institute, recognizing it as the best work in African anthropology, despite its focus on European Roma, due to its exceptional ethnographic quality.