The Central and East European Roma

History, identity and socio-political situation-Class 10: Roma Politics

Geography 4742

Today‘s outline

• Djelem, djelem - The “Gypsy Anthem”

• Barany, Zoltan, Ch. 6: Romani Mobilization.

• Intro: Romani Mobilization & Politics

(from: Hancock, Ian. 1991, ‘The East European Roots of Romani Nationalism’)

• (Kapralski, Slawomir. 2005. ‘Ritual of Memory in Constructing the Modern Identity of Eastern European Romanies’,)

Chapter 6: Romani Mobilization

(In: The East European Gypsies. Regime Change, Marginality, and Ethnopolitics)

Short presentation by Charlotte

Split into 4 Groups

Read the respective paragraph

Discuss in group:

- Main characteristics of the leader

- Who can this leader represent?

- Which Roma might not feel represented?

Exercise “4 Leaders”

The East European roots of Romani

nationalism(Hancock 1991)

What is a Nation?

Definition from Oxford English Dictionary:

„ … a distinct race or people, characterized by common descent,

language or history, usually organized as a separate political state and

occupying a definite territory“

What is Nationalism?

„ … a sense of identity as a people, and the efforts resulting to foster this and to obtain recognition as a distinct population, bound by common historical, cultural, linguistic, political, religious, or other ties in the eyes of the larger society“ (Hancock 1991:133)

The Roma as a Nation?

• „Nation“ most often used for an actual „country“, the existence of an independent geographical homeland• but: in the broadest sense it can apply to a non-politically autonomous ethnic group! (without a geographical homeland)The Roma fit into this category! In spite of efforts to secure a geographical homeland in the nationalist movement during 1930s and 1940s they never achieved one …

Dual view of Gypsies by Gadze

• despite evidence of the Romani descent from India, their common language and cultural features majority of Gadze has ambivalent attitude of who gypsies are• basically 2 perspectives exist:1.Gypsies as a „noble race“, Gypsy kings, musicians, craftsmen, healers …2.Gypsies as „degenerate itinerants“, vagrants, without own culture, parasites of society

Romani reaction to prejudice

• Tried to ensure survival by separation into small groups (some of which do not feel as belonging together at all)• Tried to live as unobstrusively as possible on the edges of Majority society• Remarkable that they kept up their Romanipen!• Roma „turn the prejudice around“ versus the Gadze: they warn their kids of the Gadze and try to limit contacts – in order not to be spoiled or polluted

Opposition to Romani Unity

„Part of the process of devaluating a people entails eradicating or trivializing their history and aspirations“ (Hancock 1991:137) denial of the legitimacy of their language („gibberish“) denial of physical distinctiveness (painted faces) denial of existence of aspirations to unify as a transnational minority group shows fear that acknowledgement would slow down assimilation …

Romani attempts at unification

• main sentiment among Romani nationalists: „we came to Europe as one people and thus have to become one people again!“• Romani organizations as far back as to the 16th cent. (Switzerland, Germany)• Romani political activity began to flourish after WW 1• international conferences were organized• In 1929 Poland a gypsy family tried to adopt the „foreign power structure“ and a Gypsy royal line emerged Gypsy king „Kwiek“

Romani attempts at unification (II)• Gypsy king made proposals to the Polish government for civil and social reform• approached Mussolini‘s fascist government and asked for an area for Gypsies to settle between Somalia & Abyssinia …• After WW2 Gypsy population was numb for years• Things began to move again in 1959 with Ionel Rotaru: made Roma in France acknowledge him as „Supreme Chief of the Romani people“• Rotaru established National Romani Organization & World Romani Community• Wanted to establish „Romestan“, utopian ideals

Romani attempts at unification (II)• Gypsy king made proposals to the Polish government for civil and social reform• approached Mussolini‘s fascist government and asked for an area for Gypsies to settle between Somalia & Abyssinia …• After WW2 Gypsy population was numb for years• Things began to move again in 1959 with Ionel Rotaru: made Roma in France acknowledge him as „Supreme Chief of the Romani people“• Rotaru established National Romani Organization & World Romani Community• Wanted to establish „Romestan“, utopian ideals

The international Romani Union

• Hungarian Rom Vanko Rouda had more pragmatic approach: established „International Gypsy commitee“• 1972 Commitee had already 23 international organizations in 22 countries linked to it!• 1971 Commitee organized the 1st Romani World Congress (London), funded by World Council of Churches & Indian Government• Green & blue flag, Romani anthem• all labels other than Roma condemned

The (international) Flag of the RomaApproved 1971 at the first World Romani Congress

Romani MobilizationSummary/Discussion

• How well did the Roma manage to organize themselves politically until present?

• What hinders greater mobilization successes of the Roma (factors related to the Gadje vs. the ones related to the Roma themselves?)