Gathering of Roma

Kalderash Rom Rosalinda Radu (R) and her cousin Scumpa Carpaciu stand outside the church during their annual visit to pay tribute to St. Gregory with their families at the Bistrita monastery in Bistrita, Romania, Sept. 8, 2013.

Every year thousands of Kalderash from across Romania arrive to visit the monastery and to gather at an open field nearby for a day or more of feasting, dancing, visiting and business dealing.

Romania's Roma, many of whom call themselves tsigani, or Gypsies, are divided into different tribes that were once distinctive by their craft. The Kalderash were coppersmiths but today are known for dealing in scrap metal and metal products. Many Kalderash are among Romania's most traditonal and least assimilated Roma and most marry in their teens.

All photos taken in Bisrita, Romania, Sept. 8, 2013

German businessman Jesse Gerald receives a dab of chocolate cake icing from a member of the Kalderash Roma Radelescu family while holding his Radelescu godson and standing with his Romanian wife Alina at the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of Kalderash Roma gathered in Bistrita.

Gerald came to Romania 16 years ago and befriended the Radelescu family through business. Today he is a godfather to two of their children.

A Kalderash Rom woman oversees a pig being grilled on a spit next to a festive family table near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of mostly Kalderash Roma have gathered.

A Kalderash Rom woman passes money to a relative as others wait to pay tribute and kiss a relic of St. Gregory at the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Rom Maria "Mercedes" Chiciu, 3, shows off her belly dancing skills as her grandmother Exspertiza Dumitru (sitting) looks on at the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of mostly Kalderash Roma have gathered.

Visitors sit on a hillside overlooking the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of Kalderash Roma gathered.

Mihai Mihai, a Kalderash Rom who lived in France for years, reaches over to take a wooden axe while celebrating with other members of his family.

Kalderash Rom Bratiana Radulescu leads her daughters Gabriela (L), 5, and Irina, 6, after paying tribute and kissing a relic of St. Gregory at the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Roma Bianca Radu (L) and Scumpa Carpaciu walk across the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of mostly Kalderash Roma have gathered.

Kalderash Rom Mihai Istrate proudly holds his grandson, Andrei, who had been baptized earlier in the day, while standing with other members of his family in the church during their annual visit to pay tribute to St. Gregory.

A family of Kalderash Roma, who had come to pay tribute and kiss a relic of St. Gregory, receive a blessing from a monk at the Bistrita monastery.

An Orthodox icon showing St. Gregory stands by Kalderash Roma paying tribute and kissing the container of a relic of the saint at the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Rom Mihai Istrate (L) prepares a drink at the sumptuous table he and his family have spread at the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of mostly Kalderash Roma gathered.

Members of the Mihai family dance and celebrate at the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of mostly Kalderash Roma have gathered.

Kalderash Roma, who had come to pay tribute and kiss the container of a relic of St. Gregory, visit the church to receive a blessing at the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Roma women walk across the field near the Bistrita monastery where thousands of mostly Kalderash Roma gathered.

Roma musicians perform at the table of a Kalderash Roma family at the field near the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Rom Cresti Fieraro-Uana leads his daughter Roksana, 7, after paying tribute to a relic of St. Gregory at the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Rom Olga Radu holds her 5-month-old son, Andrei, who was baptized earlier in the day, after paying tribute to St. Gregory with her family at the Orthodox Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Roma and other visitors arrive to crawl under the container of a relic of St. Gregory in an act of penance at the Bistrita monastery.

Kalderash Roma women sell dresses and other handmade clothing at the field near the Bistrita monastery.

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