Marriage practices and ethnic differentiation: The case of Spanish Gypsies (1870–2000)

Abstract

Spanish Gypsies [ gitanos] are one of the main minorities and distinctive cultural groups in Spain. They constitute approximately 1.5% of the total population (500,000–700,000) and live in all regions and provinces. Here we present a model of the differential nuptiality patterns of gitanos, showing the importance of their marriage and kinship practices as a source of their physical and cultural reproduction. We analyze genealogical reconstructions based on archival research and oral history conducted in 23 Andalusian towns and villages, where vital events are recorded in the civil registers. Our data concern over 9000 Gypsies born between 1850 and 1994. Four main interrelated patterns are considered here: (1) the different form of establishing marriage based on cohabitation and the exigency of the virginity of the bride, which ideally has to be proved in a public ceremony; (2) the generalization of marriage and low levels of celibacy; (3) the early age at marriage; and (4) the importance of ethnic endogamy and homogamy, which often results in a high level of consanguineous marriages repeated generationally. We close by considering some of the potential demographic and cultural consequences of these elements of Gypsy marriage patterns.