Today is the 1st of June and the first day of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month.

Since the 16th century following their migration from continental Europe there have been Romani families and communities living in the UK. Their spoken language is based on influences from where ever the Romanies have travelled, including Indian, Greek, Persian, Slavic and Romance languages, mixed with English and influences from the language of Irish Travellers.

Romani words for the months have fallen out of general usage but records for Welsh Romani month names still exist. They show a pattern of deep connection to the land and the seasons.

The Welsh Romani name for June is Lilaieskero, which literally translates to The 'Month of Summer.' Traditionally, it is a time of more reliable weather and readily available food for the families who live close to the land. It is also the time of the year that communities come together for horse fairs and when families return to settle at farmers lands for a few weeks to work on the land.

Romani activist Maggie Smith-Bendell in her book 'Our Forgotten Years' writes of how her family would always return to the same farmer at the end of May to pick peas and broad beans in June. This would mean several weeks of hard work, good money and a safe and secure place to park your wagon among other travelling families.

The atmosphere was lively with singing around the cooking fires as the sun went down on warm midsummer evenings, and all the peas you could eat!

It sounds great. We look forward to podding our peas this month too and enjoying some sunny days at the community garden.

If you would like to learn more about GRT History Month and/ or find out how you can support GRT communities go to the Friends, Families and Travellers website - https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/heritage/gypsy-roma-and-traveller-history-month-2021/ and search the #makesomespace hashtag on social media.

Book References:

The Almanac/ A Seasonal Guide to 2021 by Lia Leendertz

Our Forgotten Years: A Gypsy Woman's Life on the Road by Maggie Smith-Bendell