Customary Law Practices among the Gabor Roma: “Gypsy Court”

Abstract

This paper explores the traditional system of justice practiced by the „Gabor Gipsies”, a subgroup of Roma in Transylvania, who explicitly reject the label Roma and insist on being recognized as „Gypsies” (țigani). Based on extensive fieldwork and interviews, the study examines how customary law functions as a mechanism of conflict resolution, moral regulation, and social cohesion. Central to this system are the authority of elders, the symbolic role of communal gatherings, and the sacred oath, which serves as both a spiritual guarantee of truth and a deterrent against dishonesty. Sanctions within this framework are primarily moral and financial, emphasizing shame, restitution, and community reconciliation rather than physical punishment. The persistence of these practices, despite pressures of modernization and integration into state institutions, highlights the resilience of Gabor cultural identity and its deep reliance on shared values, oral tradition, and self-determination. Ultimately, the study demonstrates how the „Gabor Gypsies” justice system („judecata țigănească”) represents both continuity and adaptation, safeguarding their collective honor while affirming their distinct place within the wider social landscape.