GYPSY FEAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10753, 26 November 1928, Page 5

GYPSY FEAST.

FOR A WOMAN’S SOUL-

PIG ON A SPIT

QUEER CUSTOMS OF NOMADS.

SYDNEY,, Nov. 14. A hand of gipsies, which nad lor some time been camping in the Liverpool district, yesterday held a novel banquet, on a huge scale. The object of'the feast was to secure the “repose of the soul” of one of their young married women, who died, six weeks ago in. Victoria, aged 23 years.. It is the custom of these wandering people to hold these feasts at periods of six weeks-, six months and a year, following upon the death of one of their tribe. . Yesterday’s function was a lavish one, and about 50 people from round about the district also attended. The band of nomads numbered over 40, representing four families. The “table” was a length of canvas, laid out upon the ground, about 25 feet long. A good sized pig, roasted upon a spit, was - the chief item on the menu. Potatoes, celery, cabbage, pineapples, peas, apples, oranges, grapes, cherries, strawberries and bananas Were topped by an enormous salad of let-, tuce, cucumber, and tomato. A 35gallon cask of breer stood on a huge block of ice. The unmarried women folk had been preparing the food all day. It started at sunset. ; . • f SILENT PRAYER The chief of the tribe then knelt at the head of the “table,” and nohe <srthe ! diners' were permitted,' bv custom’, to rise until he gave the signal. None of the participants were. allowed to/lea,ve empty-Handed, and what fruit was left over was crammed into this, packets of the departing’guests. Nothing is. on these occasions, .lert for -consumption next day* What can not be eaten is thrown away. . As three “sittings” were necessary to feed the- crowd present, candles were lighted as darkness approached and headlights from motor cars- were switched on to the strange scene. '’ 'Y.Y’ U' . T,t' :is . said that when the young woman died [ in' Melbourne, she whs buried in a /specially constructed. toriib, and considerable care yfaa exercised to ,' any earth \ touching .the boffin. The construction of the tomb is' said toi have cost £4B; More than £l2O hospital' expenses, were paid, in addition to' elaborate funeral arrangements, amounting .to £lߣ- t;;'''-'"v,... :/■- v:;.;;