Transylvanian Roma Coppersmiths

[topum]

We took a road trip through Transylvania last summer. Wow, what a beautiful place! The cultural diversity there is amazing. Germans (Saxons), Hungarians, Romanians, Jews and Roma (Gypsies) have all been living there together for centuries. We met very interesting and unusual people from small and vanishing communities we have never heard about.



Caldurari are a closely knit community of Roma coppersmiths from the Brateiu town in central Transylvania. They still strictly observe the old laws and traditions and do not mix with the larger Roma community from there who they consider 'defiled' Roma that have forgotten the Roma law and have mixed with the Gadjo (non-Gypsies).

Comments

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Ooh! I stalked you from your comment and was just about to say 'hi' when you posted this! Transylvania is a place I got interested in since I wrote a brief fanfic about a character from ancient Sarmizegetusa, so would be interested to hear more.

I love the colour of the pots. Why don't we use copper pots any more? Maybe it's all the polishing.

[topum.livejournal.com]

I will post more on our Transylvanian trip soon. It is a very beautiful place. We did not visit Sarmizegetusa site this time unfortunately.

Yes, the quality of Caldurari copperware was amazing. It is quite expensive though. And unlike in many other places in that part of the world haggling is not possible. They also do not push their stuff on you, none of the "aggressive marketing" that is usual for the street markets there happens at Caldurari place. You can walk around and browse freely for ages without any pressure to buy anything. They are extremely friendly, welcoming and relaxed.

[slobberpuppy.livejournal.com]

What beautiful stills and cookware! I would have had to bring some home with me.

[topum.livejournal.com]

Thanks. They have been doing it for generations. Very high quality stuff and quite pricey.

[(Anonymous)]

I can see copper but what is that yellow metal?

[topum.livejournal.com]

Copper as well.

[found-world.livejournal.com]

Interesting you went there, and the photos. I've never been to Europe, although my siblings and their spouses have.

[topum.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was very interesting. That part is still relatively undiscovered by tourists.