Romany (Gipsy) oral Ballad - Translation and comment by Nikola Kitanovic.
THE COMMENT:
There is another version of this ballad in which the hero, after addressing his mother goes to his brother (who refuses him in the same manner), and then to his sister, who eventually refers him to his wife, ending the ballad just like in the hereby presented version. However, a few words can create misconception as regards the interpretation of the ballad. First of all, the word “akhorin” which is officially translated as: asleep, sleep, and dream. Yet, if you want to translate the word “dream” into the Romany language, you simply have to rely on the word “akhorin” again. If we take other elements into account, such as music, performance, dance etc., while interpreting this ballad, then the story of the ballad becomes transparent. Namely, it is about a man who is not satisfied with his family and furthermore is not sure of their love. Therefore, daydreaming and thinking under the walnut tree (“kolin” in the original, however it can be translated as “walnut” but any other tree as well, the spread of which forms a cool, pleasant shadow, in the summer heat), he decides to test his family; puts a golden ducat into his shirt (the golden ducat can symbolize soul or love), while telling his family that it is the dangerous snake (he makes it green thus emphasizing how dangerous and poisonous it is). All members of his family deny to take the snake out whilst trying to discredit the most devoted member of the family - his wife. However, his wife shows great courage and undivided love and is therefore
rewarded with his love and soul - “the ducat”.
