Hundreds of Olah Romanies have gathered in the north-eastern city of
Ostrava to pay final respects to their “king”, Jan Lípa, who died on
Monday aged 72. Guests arrived from around Central Europe and even the USA
for the funeral, which was accompanied by music and discussions of his
life, decrees and settled disputes. The king was buried with some of his
favourite items, such as his hat and pack of cards, and bottles of wine and
even money. The community will mourn for one year before electing a new
king, expected to be one of Jan Lípa’s sons. The Olah community, which
accounts for around 15 percent of Romanies living in the Czech Republic, is
a relatively closed group which has preserved its traditions much more than
other Romany groups.