Note 76 — MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

My Sazîni says that the Dôms are below the Kramìns and that there are only 4 original castes: Shîn, Yáshkunn, Kramìn [or “Kamìnn”] and Dôm, who, to quote his words, occupy the following relative ranks: “The Shîn is the right hand, the Yáshkunn the left; the Kramìn the right foot, the Dôm the left foot.” “The other castes are mere names for occupations.” A Shîn or Yáshkunn can trade, cultivate land or be a shepherd without loss of dignity—Kramìns are weavers, carpenters, etc., but not musicians—as for leather, it is not prepared in the country. Kramìns who cultivate land consider themselves equal to Shîns. Dôms can follow any employment, but, if a Dôm becomes a Mulla, he is respected. Members of the several castes who misbehave are called Mîn, Pashgun, Mamin and Môm respectively. “A man of good caste will espouse sides and fight to the last even against his own brother.” Revenge is a duty, as among Afghans, but is not transmitted from generation to generation, if the first murderer is killed. A man who has killed another, by mistake, in a fight or otherwise, seeks a frank forgiveness by bringing a rope, shroud and a buffalo to the relatives of the deceased. The upper castes can, if there are no Kramìns in their villages, do ironmonger’s and carpenter’s work, without disgrace; but must wait for Kramìns or Dôms for weaver’s work. The women spin. The “Dôms” are the “Rôms” of Gipsy lore.