Quinqui jargon

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Merchero
)
Quinqui
Native toSpain
RegionEdges of towns
Language codes
ISO 639-3quq
Glottologquin1236

Quinqui jargon is associated with quincalleros (an itinerant group), semi-nomadic people who live mainly in the northern half of Spain. They prefer to be called mercheros. They are reduced in number and possibly vanishing as a distinct group.

The language is based on

gitanos
.

Scholars have many theories about the social origins of mercheros, summarized as the following:

  • Descendants of mechanical workers who arrived in Spain from central Europe in the 16th century;
  • Descendants of peasants who lost their land in the 16th century;
  • Descendants of intermarriage between the Roma and non-Roma populations;
  • Descendants of Muslims who became nomads after the expulsion in the 15th century to escape persecution; and/or
  • A mixture of the above.

Notable mercheros

  • El Lute
    (born 1942). A petty thief in his early life, he was convicted of armed robbery and murder; after escaping from prison, he was listed among Spain's "Most Wanted" criminals by the Spanish police. Later he earned a law degree and wrote five books. He was pardoned at age 39.

See also

References