Marime, mahrime or marimé is a central concept in traditional Romani culture, particularly within Vlax and Northern Roma groups, that refers to a notion of ritual impurity.
Sinti people refer to the concept with the terms "palećido" (neglected or isolated) and "prast(l)o" (inflamed or outlawed).
Requirements for ritual purity pertain to almost all aspects of Romani life and culture, including domestic arrangements, preparation of food, washing of clothing, and all public interactions between men and women.
Publicly discussing matters related to the lower body may cause ritual pollution or be considered offensive.
Cats and dogs are marime and must not be eaten, because these animals lick their lower bodies with their tongues.
In Eastern Europe, many Romani have come to disregard this custom due to living in apartment blocks.
When Romani people move into a house previously owned by a non-Romani person, extensive cleaning is required.
Public restrooms are generally avoided, except to wash hands, and if so paper towels will be used to turn faucets on and off.
All lower body emissions including menstrual blood, semen, urine, and feces are considered marime.
[5] During this 40 day period, Romani Christian mothers are prohibited from attending church services.
The decision to declare a person marime is decided by a kris, a traditional Romani court used for conflict resolution.
[12] Cornell University professor Calum Carmichael has discussed the similarities and differences between Jewish religious law (halakha) and marime.
He notes ritualistic similarities regarding avoidance of blood from animals or menstruating women and detailed standards regarding ritual hygiene and food consumption, but notes that Jewish law and Romani law do not share common origins.
Marquette University professor Alison Barnes has stated that comparing and contrasting Jewish law and Romani law can provide "insight regarding the effects of ritual behavior on the observant", despite the major differences between the two approaches.