GIPSY CHIEFTAIN
When the chieftain of a gipsy tribe, Tanas Stirio, died at 72 in Hobart, his funeral, led by a brass band, cost £4OO. The body was dressed in a new outfit of chieftain’s robes, including a new pocket comb. A bronze casket cost £75. For nine days the tribal mourning ritual went on, and Tom Stewart, Stirio’s eldest son, had to remain unshaven for six weeks. Other men of the tribe remained unshaven until after the funeral. Stirio remained in state all the time, and every evening members of tribe brought gifts and kept vigil until dawn, intoning lamentations. After the funeral there was a feast of rejoicing with invitations to old and young, rich and poor, few of whom were known to the gipsies. A marble mausoleum is to be erected costing £2500. The tribe has been in Tasmania for two years. Stirio, a naturalised Australian was born in Greece. Two Catholic priests conducted the service.—Australian News Letter.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 June 1943, Page 5
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161GIPSY CHIEFTAIN Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 June 1943, Page 5
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