Traveler

   A term used in this dictionary and elsewhere for industrial nomadic groups (peripatetics) who are not of Indian origin. In many countries, there are indigenous nomadic or semi-nomadic groups. In Europe, they include the Camminanti of Sicily; the Jenisch of France, Germany, and Switzerland; the Karrner of Austria; the Quinquilleros (or Merceros) of Spain; the Resande (or Reisande) of Sweden and Norway; and the Woonwa-genbewoners of the Netherlands. They live very similar lives to the nomadic Romanies, and some intermarriage has occurred over the years.

   In Ireland and Scotland, they have been called Tinkers, but they themselves prefer the name Travelers. The term quinquis or quinquilleros used in Spain is the equivalent of "Tinkers," and there they prefer the name Merceros (literally Haberdashers). Norwegian Travelers and Swedish Travelers became known as Tattare and now prefer terms meaning "Traveler"-Reisande and Resande, respectively.

   See also Irish Travelers; New Travelers; Scottish Travelers.