DISSERTATION ON ROMA RIGHTS

Dissertation On Roma Rights

Abstract

The dominant ideology in Eastern Europe has kept and still keeps Roma people at the lowest level of society through a long list of negative stereotypes and active discrimination. Up to the end of the twentieth century, cinematography tended to portray Gypsies as an exotic element in romantic settings, avoiding social and political issues like poverty, discrimination and marginalization. The fall of communism marked a change, as more films dared to speak against the dominant ideology.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Table of Contents3

Dissertation On Roma Rights3

Introduction3

Purpose8

Methodology8

Medieval history12

Modern history13

Analysis levels of ideology in Time of the Romas14

Conclusions16

References18

Dissertation On Roma Rights

Introduction

Because the Gypsies are so diverse, it is unclear what the Gypsy identity is. Several criteria differentiate this ethnic group: lifestyle (nomadic or sedentary), tribal affiliation, occupation, language, religion and country of residence. In Eastern Europe, Gypsies have been sedentary for centuries, while in Western Europe they have maintained a nomadic lifestyle, mainly for economic reasons. In many countries, the tribal identity is primarily rooted in the traditional economic activity of a group (Barany, 2002). For example, in Romania and Bulgaria, one can find spoon makers (Lingurari), makers of wooden bowls (Kopanari), coal miners (Caravlahi), gold washers and makers of golden jewelry (Aurari), gold miners (Baiesi), musicians (Lautari), and others. One of the most numerous tribes in Eastern Europe is Kaldarashi, originally blacksmiths. Often several tribes live in the same area. Various economic opportunities led to an economic diversity as well. Today, there are rich Gypsies, middle class Gypsies and poor Gypsies. As several historians noted, it was mainly the rich and middle class Eastern European Gypsies who had the means and information to travel to Western Europe in the 1990s.

Language is another criterion for differentiation. Romanes, the Gypsy language, is the main tool used by historians and linguists to establish the Gypsy origins since Gypsies have maintained a primarily oral culture. Although this language was deeply influenced by languages of different countries of residence, the main root apparently originated in northeastern India.1 The Gypsies who live in Western Europe and speak a dialect of Romanes with strong German influences call themselves Sinti, while the Eastern European Gypsies call themselves Roma. It should also be noted that Gypsies in many

1 Many think of Gypsies in terms of physical characteristics similar to the Indian people-dark skin, dark hair, and brown eyes. While many Gypsies still show these characteristics, there is a significant number of European Gypsies with blond hair, blue eyes and light skin. Therefore, a differentiation based on physical appearance would not be relevant.

2 countries (e.g. Hungary) have adopted the language of their country of residence and no longer speak Romanes.

Gypsies are quite diverse from a religious perspective as well. In the relatively small area of the Balkans, one can find Roman Catholic Gypsies in Croatia, Muslim Gypsies in Bosnia and European Turkey, and Christian Orthodox Gypsies in Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Fraser (1995) clearly states the difficulty surrounding the definition of Gypsiness:

Given these and many ...