The best thing on tv this week was the channel 4 documentary My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding on Wednesday evening.This was a rare look into the amalgamation of ancient wedding culture and "high fashion" of the "traveller" population of Britain, and was a brief but fascinating glimpse into a community that is mistrusted, hated and feared by the general population.
At first I thought that the programme was just a vehicle for some snobby voyeurism ( and there was an element of enjoyment in laughing at the monstrous fashion designs that are expected to be on show at these affairs),
However what I found more interesting, was the rigidity and adherence to tradition that was evident within the gypsy community and I would have liked if the documentary would have explored the dichotomy between religion (the families that were shown were terribly staunch catholics) and the well known view of gypsies being unlawful
If you didn't see it, I would recommend you give it a view
I hope that programme comes over here, I find it fascinating how over the top they are!!
ReplyDeleteGill in Canada
Have you watched any of the American Gypsy Wedding programmes? They make the British ones look elegant!
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