The Church of Cheese: Gypsy Ritual in the American Heyday

by Carol Miller

A rare inside look at Roma culture, ritual and belief at its peak in the American Gypsy experience - A Disapora spread over five continents, Gypsies conjure the romance of a nomadic life, a nostalgia for a simpler time. We think of dancing Spanish Gypsies or French jazz guitarists or a Romanian king. Gypsies have yet to enter the American public consciousness, yet they have been arriving since the late sixteenth century. Columbus brought several, forcibly transported to the Colonies, and many Americans today may count, unknown, a Gypsy or two among their forebears. A legacy of misfortune and mistrust lives on in Gypsy blood, and glimpses into their lives are rare. A young anthropologist drawn in by a Gypsy matriarch had no idea her life's work would be witness to this hidden culture and its dilution over decades of cultural adaptation. From 1966 to 2000 Carol Miller lived among the Machvaia during their Heyday. Here are her stories about creating a bounty of good luck made by good times: three-day weddings, opulent slavi (saint days), baptisms, holidays, parties, and fabulous offerings for the Dead Ones. "The Heyday," this particular heyday, is done, and we will not see its like again.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction

257 pages, ebook

First published November 27, 2009

Reviews

[Monty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Lola's Luck several years ago and enjoyed the personal/scientific approach though I thought the author crossed personal boundaries to the point of no longer being neutral. Perhaps that's what needs to happen when studying Roma since it appears that there is no way to be accepted into the group without personal involvement. This second book mixes published studies with personal anecdotes about rituals around food, death, marriage and many other topics. And the focus is on one grouping of American Roma who mainly live in CA though some live in the Seattle area. I didn't read every chapter. Anyone who has an interest in Roma would gain much from reading this book as well as Lola's Luck.

[Chahula · Rating 2 out of 5]

For someone that spent decades with the west coast American Roma, Miller does not do them justice. This is just a poorly stitched together collection of quotes, half-arsed stories and references to the works of other scholars. The highlight is Milano’s story, which is more about being young and gay in the 1970s. Get that man a book deal.

[Nancy Latourelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so enjoyed Carol Miller's book, Lola's Luck, about the Machvaira gypsy group here in America, so I was excited to read about what has been happening in the lives of this aristocratic gypsy group in Ms. Miller's most current book, "The Church of Cheese." Since the author has lived intimately with these fascinating people, she can communicate so vividly the real nature of their current lives adapting to American culture. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to any further books from this author.

[Aimee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. This is not a book, it's a thesis statement. And not a very strong one at that.