DOM

also called Domra, or Domb, widespread and versatile caste of scavengers, musicians, vagabonds, traders, and, sometimes, weavers in northern India and the Himalayas. Some scholars regard the Doms as originating from an aboriginal tribe. They list seven endogamous subcastes. The Doms are completely outside Brahminic control. They have their own deities and an elaborate demonology. Considerable interest is attached to the Doms because there is reason to believe that the Gypsies, who originally came from India, are an offshoot of that caste. This connection is indicated by their use of the name Rom for themselves, a variant pronunciation of Dom; Syrian Gypsies refer to themselves as Doum.