In Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer the site is home to the statue and relics of Sarah the Black, patroness of the Gypsies.
Pilgrimage and Gypsy Festival, important events in Gypsy culture, take place on May 24 and 25.
In Camargue, almost 40 km south of Arles, is the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. For Gypsy culture, the place has important value as it is home to the statue and relics of Sara the Black (Sara la Noire), or the Black Madonna, patroness of the Gypsies. The Gypsies call their patroness named “Sara-la-Kâli,” a Gypsy word meaning both Gypsy and Black. Her statue can be found in the Church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, right at the back of the crypt, dressed in multicolored robes and jewelry.
The story of Sara the Black, however, is not yet well defined and there are several hypotheses about it. One Camargue legend sees her as a servant of the Holy Marys (Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé). While another legend, this time gypsy, sees her as a gypsy woman who, settled on the shores of Provence, welcomed exiles from the Holy Land.
Also unknown is the reason why the cult originated in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Gypsy legend has it that when King René asked for the exhumation of the bones of the Holy Marys – a third female skeleton was found. Considered to be of inferior dignity, the remains of this female body were laid in a wooden box. Judging her patron saint, the Gypsies decided to come to Les Saintes to venerate her. For this pilgrimage to take place, there was the intervention of the Marquis de Baroncelli, the father of Camargue traditions.
At that time, a new tradition was born. Every May 24 and 25, the pilgrimage and the Gypsy Festival in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to honor their patron saint. Gypsies celebrate weddings, births and baptisms of children there. Some of them even wait for the pilgrimage to have their children baptized in the Church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
The statue of St. Sara is adorned with luxurious clothes, offerings and candles. She is carried in solemn procession to the sea during which pilgrims rush to try to touch her. The latter express wishes for healing and requests for protection that they hope will be granted.
In addition, there are parallel events such as equestrian trials, rodeos, and the non-bloody bullfights.
For those who want to have a unique experience, the Gypsy Festival in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is the right occasion.
To find out about other events in Provence, click here.