Bohemian Counter Culture

Bohemianism has been known as the culture of the free spirited and adventurous and yet its roots go much deeper than that. From the time of Bohemia to the modern phrase Boho specific characteristics have been given to those who claim such a culture. In fact Bohemianism has been viewed as a "counter culture" or a way of living that differs from the current social norms. Pursuers of this culture have been known to take pride in their unique lifestyle even when looked down upon by society, as stated by author of multiple Bohemian way of life books, Virginia Nicholson, " The Bohemian is an outsider, defines themselves as an outsider, and is defined by the world as an outsider." Now a days the shortened term "Boho" can be found anywhere as an aesthetic

The Bohemian are better known as Gypsies or the Romany only being called Bohemian later on in history by the French. In fact Bohemianism has very few ties to the Gypsies of this area rather than finding happiness in poverty, disregarding money in turn for pursuing the small joys in life such color, music, and emotional connections with others. Surprisingly the Romani Gypsies are nomadic people who have descended from northern parts of western India and experienced a long wandering time period where they were unaccepted by the communities they traveled through until they found themselves in Bohemia. It was here that on April 17, 1423 that the Holy Roman Emperor and Czech King, Zikmund issued a letter stating the privileges of the Romani people allowing the to be treated fairly throughout his region. When the time came for the Romani to travel to France they had brought this letter with them allowing the French to accept them into their community. Since the letter was issued in the Czech lands which to the French was known as "La Boheme" they called the nomadic Romani "Bohemians" (gvshp.org). The French had taken a liking the these so called "Bohemians" creating their own culture based off of the Romani living in poverty by choice enjoying art, color, music, and all around be

The Beats Movement was large in terms of influence and status despite their small numbers became visible in the public eye. Made up of artists and writers who were concerned with the materialistic morals of post WWII America as they experience an economic boom; the Beats took matters into their own hands addressing what they deemed issues through their literature (Literature Network). The Beat culture is a later manifestation of the 19th century Bohemians spreading the ideals of their predecessors by using their lifestyle and literature to shun the Mainstream Culture. They certainly paved the road for the next decade's legacy, the Hippies of the 60's. Though the hippies did not possess the same level of education as the Beats they did continue to spread the ideas of drug use, sexual freedom and the wandering spirit of the original Bohemians, the Romani Gypsies (mtholyoke.edu). With feeling the need to rebel the Hippies willingly left their comfortable lives to live in the nomadic ways of the early Bohemians. By dressing in clothing outside the norm the Hippies were given a distinct image that was used to rebel against the dominant community in a similar fashion those from "La Boheme", Paris would have. Through music they defined and celebrated the unique ideals of their generations in the same way the Bohemians and