Gyptian Camp

Gyptian Camp, from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.

The Gyptian community in His Dark Materials operates as a mobile flotilla navigating the waterways of Lyra's world. This group is defined by their nomadic existence aboard barges and houseboats, moving through locations such as Oxford and beyond. The camp is central to the story of Lyra Belacqua, an orphan raised at Jordan College who finds allies among these river travelers.

Quick Facts

Primary leader: Lord John Faa
Notable member: Ma Costa

Lore & Background

The Gyptians are led by figures such as Lord John Faa, who represents the Western Gyptians. The community includes members like Ma Costa, a woman who previously nursed Lyra, and her sons Tony and Billy. Another key figure is Farder Coram van Texel, an elderly member and former lover of the witch Serafina Pekkala. The group includes individuals who disagree with John Faa, such as Raymond van Gerrit; the heads of the large Gyptian families make up the Gyptians' Council, which is ruled by John Faa.

Reader's Guide

Gyptians are water-travellers who live mainly aboard boats traversing the canals and rivers of 'Brytain'. They sometimes gather in a 'byanroping', or roping, a summons or muster of families. John Faa's group of Gyptians has its home base in 'Eastern Anglia', the counterpart in Lyra's world of East Anglia. In the 2007 film The Golden Compass, the Gyptian camp is attacked by Samoyeds, who capture Lyra.