Instruction for behaviour

Jelena vorovi, A Gypsy, a Butterfly, and a Gadje: Narrative as Instruction for Behaviour. Folklore, Volume 119, Issue 1 April 2008 , pages 29 - 40

Abstract

Serbian Gypsy narratives have a very important function in Gypsy culture - that of shaping and influencing the behaviour of those to whom the stories are told. This paper analyses two Serbian Gypsy oral narratives that place special emphasis on the kinds of behaviour that are encouraged or discouraged in everyday life, and which have presumably helped Gypsies to survive through the centuries.