The first important step in the life of a newly born is the baptism, in Rromanes bolimos, when the child is given his name. All members of the family as well as many members of the clan are present on this occasion. Important is the choice of god-father and god-mother, who are generally highly regarded members of the extended family.
The baptism takes place in church - catholic, orthodox or protestant - and after that, all the people attending (sometimes up to 200-300) party, eat, drink and have fun. They give the child expensive presents. From that moment onward, the god-parents take an important place in the life of the child, as second parents, helping him in all difficult or important moments of his or her life.
The Muslim Rroma in the Balkan of course do not have baptisms. They have other traditions, for a boy the suneti - circumcision. The feast after the operation is called the sunetjeskoro bijav - lit. the circumcision wedding! As for the Christian Rroma, the entire family as well as friends and relatives of the mahala, meet and eat, drink, dance and give presents to the child.