Papusza and the Crows Official Video from Wendy McNeill’s One Colour More album

Bronislawa Wajs was the Polish Romani artist known as Papusza (The Doll) She was a poet and singer who, at a very young age, chose to break out of her family’s tradition of illiteracy by teaching herself to read and write. This caused friction between her and her people, as they believed that an oral tradition distanced them from the general population thus protecting their nomadic way of life. This friction came to a head when Papusza’s words were published. Her intention had been to improve her people’s situation by helping others to understand the nuances of their Roma experience. But this plan backfired when her words were taken out of context and used in a campaign called the Great Halt that imposed harsh changes to their way of life. She was subsequently banished from the Roma community. It is said that she spent the next 34 years until her death alone. Because of her literacy, her words did not die with her. They now give new generations understanding,inspiration and pride.