Optchá: know the gypsy expression, its origin, what it means and more!

Optchá is one of the most popular gypsy greetings, especially among Umbanda terreiros. In Romane or Romani, the word means “save!”. The expression is also widely used in gypsy dance, such as “Bravo” and “Olé”.

Already in war, Optcha translates as a cry of strength. In addition, Optcha can also be used in prayer. It is an expression that brings positive energies and amplifies vibration. In this article you will know how and when to use the expression Optchá to attract good luck. Let’s talk about the patron saint of gypsies, Santa Sara Kali. Good reading!

Before talking about the gypsy people and their relationship with the expression Optchá, we need to understand its origin, concepts and uses. It is also interesting to understand a little about other expressions used by these people, known for their joy. Learn more below!

According to the Centro de Pesquisas da Cultura Romá no Brasil, the word Optchá is of Hungarian origin. The expression, which was popularized mainly in Umbanda terreiros, was brought to Brazil when gypsies arrived here from Hungary.

In Umbanda, the word Optchá is linked to the egregore of the Gypsies of the East line, entities different from the Gypsies Exu. For the Gypsy people, however, the word Optchá has no religious meaning. It is worth remembering that the incarnated gypsies are an ethnic group and not a religion.

The word Optchá has no direct translation into Portuguese. Thus, due to its uses, in dance, rituals and war, this expression assumed the meaning of a greeting, wishing strength and success.

There are those who say that Optchá is not a word of Romani origin. Others believe that the word is of Hungarian origin. The fact is that the expression today is already recognized as a greeting to the gypsy people. However, this word is not well accepted among the more traditional gypsies. In the course of this article, you will find out why.

Whenever there is a homage, whether in Umbanda or Quimbada, the expression Optchá can and should be used as a greeting to the entities. Optchá can also be used in a gypsy dance show, meaning “brave”. Or even as a prayer.

Optcha is commonly used to energize offerings to Roma people. However, the expression can be taken as an offense for some types of gypsy people.

The proper use of the expression Optchá is not written in any bibliography about the Roma people. Therefore, there are those who say that the word Optchá is not of Romani origin and does not belong to the gypsy vocabulary.

The use of the word Opctchá may still be inappropriate with certain Gypsy tribes. Therefore, in some of them the word can even be taken as an offense, something considered culturally normal.

The Gypsy people are currently divided into three major groups: the Kalon, Iberian Gypsies who speak Shib Kalé or Caló, a mixture of Romani, Portuguese and Spanish; the Romi, originating from the Balkan countries and Eastern Europe who speak Romance and are subdivided into five other subgroups and, finally, the Sinti, more present in Germany, France and Italy. This last group speaks Romanes—sinto.

The word Optchá is not well accepted among the more traditional gypsies, mainly in those clans that perpetuate the gypsy traditions of their origin. According to the oldest gypsies, the word Optchá is not welcome because it does not belong to Romani or any other gypsy dialect.

Gypsies, through Umbanda, are a line of work linked to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Gypsy people can work on Exu’s line or on their own lines, called Oriental. Although they represent the disembodied gypsy people, the rituals for these two lines are very different.

However, whenever working with gypsy people in Umbanda, the expression Optchá is often used, not only to increase the vibration of mediums in the terreiro, but also as a greeting of respect and faith.

Anyone who likes and/or worships the gypsy people knows that among them there are other greetings as important as Optchá. One of them is Ori Oriô, which does not have an exact translation into Portuguese, but is interpreted as a greeting of respect for the gypsy entity that is on earth.

This expression is part of several Umbanda points. Another common expression among the gypsy people is “Alê Arriba”, which means strength (upwards). This expression is common in gypsy camps being used to wish good luck and good vibes.

To this day, no one knows for sure the origin of the Gypsy people. But for being a nomadic and free people, who live under their own laws, and use magic to earn money, the gypsies have always been discriminated against and labeled as scum. Next you will know a little more about this people also known as the people of love.

Throughout history, the gypsy people have suffered persecution and prejudice. To give you an idea, this people was the victim of one of the greatest war crimes, when, during World War II, Adolf Hitler had thousands of gypsies arrested and killed.

In Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland and England it was no different. Persecuted for their nomadic and wandering nature, in these countries the gypsy people also suffered from prejudice and discrimination.

The arrival of gypsies in Brazil took place around the years 1940/1950. And as hospitable as Brazilians are, there was and still is prejudice against gypsies. Mainly against those who live in clans.

Throughout their existence, Roma have been marked by negative stereotypes. One of the best known is the one that accuses the Roma people of being responsible for the theft of children. Unfortunately, even today when talking about gypsy people, the collective imagination produces a prejudice that this ethnic group is linked to crimes and illicit activities.

In Brazil, the largest Roma communities are located in the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais and Goiás. They add up to around 500,000 people in all who, despite being in the 21st century, are still not recognized as citizens. One of the consequences is the forgetting of their cultures and identity denial, for fear of not being accepted.

The origin of Santa Sara Kali, patron saint of gypsies, varies according to the clan. One of the versions says that she lived in the south of France. In another, Santa Sara Kali was of Egyptian origin and was taken to Palestine as a slave. If you want to know more about this powerful saint canonized by the Catholic Church, continue reading the article.

Both versions we saw above identify Santa Sara Kali as the companion of the three Marys, who followed Jesus Christ. Considered the patroness of the gypsy people and canonized by the Catholic Church in 1712, Santa Sara Kali was one of the first black saints in Catholicism. However, the cult of this saint by the Church is still rare.

Santa Sara Kali is also known as the patroness of exiles and desperate people. Many faithful recognize her as the protector of good childbirth and women who want to get pregnant. The feast in celebration of the canonization of Santa Sara takes place on the 24th and 25th of May.

The ancients say that Santa Sara had dark skin, hence her nickname Kali (which means black in Romani). The image of Santa Sara Kali is dressed in pink, blue, white and gold.

The image of Santa Sara is also usually adorned with flowers, jewelry and colorful scarves, things that Sara liked to use when she passed on earth. Popular belief says that the connection with the saint takes place through the eyes of Santa Sara Kali, as they contain the strength of the mother, the sister, the woman, the energy of the smile and the magic of love and peace.

One of the first miracles performed by this saint dates back to the period when she, the Três Marias and José de Arimathea were thrown into the sea in a small boat, without oars or sail. Through her faith, Santa Sara Kali ensured that the boat arrived safe and sound on land, as well as its crew.

Even today Santa Sara Kali is conceived as a miracle worker for helping countless mothers in high-risk labor or helping women with difficulties to get pregnant. Among the gypsy people, Santa Sara Kali is the most revered. This is because, for these people, the most important miracle is that of fertilization.

Depending on the clan, the scarf or diklô is only used by married women, as a sign of respect and fidelity. In others, the scarf is used by young women, from their first menstruation, as a sign that they are already women.

Regardless of the meaning, for Santa Sara Kali, the scarf was the instrument chosen to firm her faith and ask for protection. During the trajectory of the boat she was on, Sara swore never to take the scarf off again if the miracle of saving themselves happened. Not only were the crew members saved, but Sara was welcomed by a group of local gypsies where the boat docked.

Sara was a gypsy slave who faced several trials and prejudices, until she found the Três Marias, who welcomed her on her pilgrimage path. After her first miracle, Sara came to represent all women, wives, mothers and daughters, especially the gypsy people who elected her their protector.

By helping Maria de Nazaré in her childbirth, Santa Sara also started to represent and protect midwives. Santa Sara Kali was one of the first black saints of the Catholic Church and represents hope for the afflicted and desperate.

Every year, since 1712, on the 24th and 25th of May, celebrations in honor of Santa Sara Kali take place. Celebrations take place all over the world, mainly in the south of France. That’s because the image of Santa Sara is in the Church of Saint Michel, located in Saint Marie de la Mer, where her remains are also located.

On tribute days, it is common to offer colored handkerchiefs as a thank you for a grace achieved. In Brazil, gypsies honor their patron saint in the city of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, where, since 2006, there has been a cave, located next to Lagoa da Saudade, at the top of Morro da Nova Cintra.

To attract prosperity or to make a request that calms your heart, know the prayer to Santa Sara Kali. Do it with a lot of faith, concentration and love in your heart, envisioning good events, as well as removing any…