THE COMING OF THE GYPSIES

(from F&F#32 Jan 2000)

Once upon a time in the realm of King Bahram Djour in what we now call Iran or Persia the poor subjects were lamenting their lack of music. For some reason they had no musicians. Bahram sent to his father-in-law, King Shankal of Kanauj to send 12,000 musicians.

When they arrived Bahram gave each a donkey, a cow and 1000 bushels of wheat. This was supposed to provide them with the basis of making a good, sustainable living whilst they performed for his subjects. However, at the end of the year they appeared before him starving. Instead of using them to provide for the future they had just eaten the cows and the wheat and had nothing left. Angrily the king told them to put silken strings on their instruments, get on their donkeys, take to the road and earn a living through their music. They have been doing so ever since. Their descendants are known to us as gypsies and wherever they have been they have enriched the musical traditions with their skills.

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