Purity vs. Contamination

The Gypsies harbor a strong belief that maintaining purity is critical. All Gypsies are extraordinarily careful to never eat food that is dirt, and Gypsies almost never refer to bodily fluids or functions. If a Gypsy is so unfortunate as to sully herself by becoming somehow contaminated, she must perform elaborate cleansing rituals before she can eat with, touch or truly socialize with other Gypsies. It is not unheard of for a Gypsy to kill herself of she believes she has been forever contaminated.
The views on purity and contamination held by the Romani have been formed as protective measures. On the surface, most gaje researchers regard them simply as beliefs developed to keep Gypsies from eating bad food, to prevent disease, etc. This is eminently logical, but it is not the only reason the Gypsies hold on to their taboos.
Gypsies keep secret the special abilities passed on to them through their Blood. Few of today´s Romani know the reason behind the taboo against referring to Blood and other bodily fluids. Daenna and her descendants knew it was imperative that the heritage passed through the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge not be discovered by those such as the Antediluvians, or by any of a number of paranoid leaders among the gaje, lest every Rom be hunted down. The taboos help preserve the sanctity of the Gypsies´ secrets; thus, the ancient knowledge only surface during times when it is needed.

Many of the Phuri Dae believe that Hitler had discovered the power of their Blood and was thus committed to destroying the Rom. The purity and superiority of the Gypsies´ Blood may have intrigued as well as enraged Hitler and the SS. Rumors also speak of terrible torture and experimentation performed on some of the Rom held in concentration camps, in which large amount of Blood were extracted from the prisoners. This Blood may have been intended for use in the dark rituals of certain high ranking officers of the SS, who were also said to be dark mages.

- Teeuwynn