Tcherenkov & Laederich (2004):

Roma Trades

Romani Butji

• Butji - The Romanes word for work or trade

• Romani work is characterized by flexibility and adaptation of the trades in which they are involved, as well as allowing external influences to evolve Romani trades.

Butji

• Many linguists believe that the word Butji is derived from an old Indian phrase meaning “way of life”.

• This may indicate that Roma ancestors already had concrete professions while still in India

• A wide variety of Roma trades and crafts have been practiced by modern Roma, but most of these crafts have been present to some degree among all Roma groups and amongst their ancestors.

Metalwork - Blacksmiths

• In many countries (especially in Eastern Europe), Roma are strongly associated with metalwork.

• In some Roma groups, the word butji to exclusively indicate metal work

• The Roma terminology in metalwork leads us to believe that it is a very old trade amongst the Roma

• The majority of the metalwork terminology has Greek origins, indicating that Roma were already working as blacksmiths before the Ottoman invasions (14th-15th centuries)

• Technological aspects of Romani metalwork are similar to modern day techniques of Indian nomads

Metalwork - Blacksmiths

• Roma often worked as weapon makers for the military

• Especially in the Balkan region, all instruments necessary for metalwork can be easily be transported in travel, suiting a nomadic lifestyle

• Although now mostly sedentary, have not given up the craft

• Today: mostly do repairs for utensils, machinery, and cars

• Romania and Hungary: Roma known for the trade of tinning caldrons and pots

Horses, Animals, and Markets

• All over Europe, Roma are known as horse dealers.

• Especially the Nordic Roma, who traditionally were almost exclusively horse dealers

• Early Ottoman records document Roma as horse traders, and historical records from Bulgaria show that Roma were enlisted to care of the Sultan’s horses

• All Roma whose primary trade was horse dealing were and sometimes still are nomadic

• The Romanes word for horse, grast or graj, has Armenian roots, which indicates this trade probably started in that area

• The profession of horse dealer is highly regarded amongst Romani men

Horses, Animals, and Markets

• The marketplace was a very important part of the Romani lifestyle

• Foros: Romanes word for market, common in all dialects (Greek origins)

• Romani stories and songs show their adoration for horses and the trade of working with horses

• There is a stereotype that Roma are horse thieves. However, Roma communities do not accept a horse thief and they are outcasted (it is generally acceptable to steal to eat or feed one’s family, but not theft such as stealing a horse)

Horses, Animals, and Markets

• Roma are also associated with performing with bears or monkeys for the public

• Practiced in Balkans, Greece, Turkey, and Western Europe

• They travel around and perform for the public, often performing music and having the bear or monkey dance for the crowd

• This activity is likely a supplementary income, and not a principal trade

Music • The profession on professional musicians likely dates back to

their arrival in Europe

• Ottoman tax records from 1500s show Roma as musicians for the army, and Hungary’s Queen Isabella commented on the quality of “Egyptian musicians” in a1532 letter

• In the Nordic area, it was documented that there were Roma dancers (and thus probably musicians) performing for the courts in the 16th century

• Today: many professional Roma orchestras especially in the Balkans and Turkey

• Today: In Slovakia and Hungary, Roma often perform “Gypsy music” in restaurants

Music • Common instruments: clarinet, brass instruments, harp, pan

flute, ciabalom (Indian instrument), and violin

• 19th century: Professional Romani musicians in almost all European courts and theaters

• Although found in every metagroup of Roma, it is believed musicianship represents a supplementary source of income rather than a true career

• Many families will feature both blacksmiths and musicians

• Many of the originally nomadic groups have almost no professional musicians

Wood work and Miscellaneous

• Wood carving is one of their oldest traditional occupations

• Known for making sieves and basket weaving

• Records document Roma wood work in Asia Minor, indicating that this trade is Pre-European

• Ottoman tax records of 1500s document Roma as sieve makers

Wood work and Miscellaneous

• Other miscellaneous crafts made by Roma: combs, baskets, the carving of wood utensils, and the weaving of linens.

• Agricultural work has never been truly integrated into Roma life, unless it was forced labor.

• Until the abolition of slavery, Roma were often used as slave work on farms (examples: in Spain, Finland, Hungary)

• After the abolition of slavery, some Roma (mostly in Romania) continued to do some seasonal agricultural work as a supplementary income

• Roma also documented as working in textile factories, shepherds, innkeepers, and moneylenders

• The wide variety of miscellaneous Roma work shows the Roma’s flexibility and adaptation to the economic conditions of a region to be able to find a economic niche and survive

Fortune Telling• Roma as fortune tellers is a stereotype. However, the

profession does exist amongst the Roma.

• Not practiced at all amongst the Balkan Roma (so picked up later from those Roma venturing outside the Balkan region)

• The Nordic Roma most responsible for the fortune teller cliche

• They are documented as being palm readers, users of unconventional medicine for healing, and other forms of divination

• Hungarian Vlax Roma: use tarot cards for fortune telling

• The trade of fortune telling is practiced exclusively by women

Begging and Stealing

• Begging and stealing is a stereotype almost always associated with the Roma (especially in Western Europe)

• German expression: “Take your laundry in, the Gypsies are coming”

• There are certainly thieves among the Roma in every country, but they do not represent the cultural norm

• Mostly petty thieves: steal food or trinkets to sustain their families

• The appearance of organized bands of thieves is a recent phenomenon. These criminal bands are often young children enrolled or even forced by true hardened criminals.

• Amongst traditional Roma, begging is one of the lowest things one can do, on par with prostitution.

Begging and Stealing

• However, stealing when absolutely necessary (to feed one’s family and to survive) is considered acceptable

• Among traditional Roma, rape and murder is pretty much nonexistent

• Begging and criminal activity is by far most prevalent where the Roma have been forced to assimilate and have lost their traditions, language, and family structure.

• The disruption of the traditional way of life is directly correlated with Roma crime

Modern Trades• In Eastern Europe post World War II, many Roma work as

unskilled laborers in factories

• Roma immigrants to United States also often work in factory settings, as many immigrants moved to the Pittsburgh region to find such work

• After the decline of industrial industries in the U.S. post World War II, many Roma moved to the Detroit region to work in the car industry

• Other new Roma trades: car dealers, antique dealers, and taxi and truck drivers (there is a Roma taxi company in Boston)

• Especially in the Balkan region, the Roma have also recently been becoming lawyers, doctors, judges, and business entrepreneurs.

Conclusions and Perspectives

• The Roma have maintained many of their traditional professions for centuries

• Romanes terminology provides insight into where and when many of the Roma professions arose

• Stereotypes of the Roma as being fortune tellers and beggars/thieves are stereotypes uncharacteristic to the majority of the population

• Forced assimilation (especially during the Socialist regime) in several areas has led to a loss of tradition that has resulted in an increase in Romani crime

Discussion Questions

• Do you believe that the Roma will be able to adapt to the modern professions and economic conditions of the 21st century to become valuable members of the workforce?

• Why do you think forced assimilation and the loss of tradition causes a higher incidence of Roma crime?

Works Cited

• Tcherenkov & Laederich 2004: Chapter 25 "Trades"