Kristian Kordus

Research Paper

April 22, 2005

Romanian Gypsies (Roma)

        A recent Milwaukee Journal headline announced that Romania was approved to become a part of the European Union in 2007 “if certain conditions” are met.  The article doesn’t tell us what the conditions are, but I think from my research that those conditions include treating Roma better and improving the Roma living conditions.  The Roma are a large minority population originating from India, who were persecuted in the past, and still face discrimination and high unemployment in Romania today.

        Gypsies or Roma, migrated to Europe over 1,000 years ago from India.  Roma were named Gypsies by the Europeans because they were thought to be Egyptians.  Roma are a minority, making up only 10% of the total population of Romania.  They are often poor, nomadic people who live together in bands in small urban villages.  Many Roma are bilingual, speaking Romanian and Romany, a secret language derived from Sanskrit.  Even though they are able to speak multiple languages, they are unable to read or write in any language.  When Roma originally came to Romania, they were tradesmen, hoping to find good jobs.  This happened at first, but now many find it hard to get a job causing there to be high unemployment among the Roma.

        Roma occupations can be categorized in two ways: traditional occupations and stealing and begging.  Some of the traditional occupations are metalworking, jewelry engraving, fortune telling, and independent labors.  Another traditional occupation is selling products, including baskets, brooms, combs, wooden spoons, candles, and old remedy medicines.  Roma are known for working with animals, such as bear training for circuses and horse trading and training.  But probably they are best known for their musical abilities and talents.  Many Romanian weddings and festivals are accompanied by Roma musicians.   Stealing is considered as an occupation to the Roma.  Roma code permits begging and stealing to keep your family from starving.  There is a Gypsy legend that says:  “Before the crucifixion of Jesus, a Gypsy stole the fourth nail, intended for Jesus’ heart.  In gratitude God gave the Gypsies a heavenly license to steal from the gadje (non-gypsy).”

        Today, Roma live all over the world, including Europe, North America, South America and Australia.  2.3 million Roma, the largest population in the world, live in Romania today.  The biggest population is in the Bucharest area, where a typical Roma village looks like a bazaar made up of shacks and caravans.  These are often temporary settlements because many Roma migrate seasonally.  Their nomadic lifestyle makes it difficult for the government to count them, so nobody is sure exactly how many Roma there really are.  More and more Roma are leaving Romania today because they are mistreated by the Romanians.

        Roma, like Jews were persecuted during the Holocaust.  Between 1941 and 1942, 20,000 – 26,000 Roma from Bucharest were deported to Transnistria, a Nazi concentration camp.  Most died there from disease, starvation, or murder.  Worldwide, over 1.5 million Roma were killed during the Holocaust.

        In addition to being persecuted in the past, Roma continue to be mistreated today.  In 1445, 10,000 Roma came to Romania as captured people for slavery by Prince Vlad Dracul, who the Dracula legend came from.  Roma slavery increased for 400 years after that.  Before 1848, a lot of Roma were slaves to wealthy Romanians.  In 1848, laws were passed that made slavery illegal and slavery in Romania was finally abolished in 1864, freeing 600,000 Roma.  Prejudice and persecution of Roma still continues and Romanians blame Roma for all the troubles in Romania.  It’s difficult for Roma to find a job because employers won’t hire them.  They get no government support and face harassment by police and government officials.  For example, in 1995, the Romanian government adopted Tsigan as the official name for Roma.  Tsigan means slave and this upset and angered the Roma.  Roma choose not to live with the Romanians, which adds to the distrust.  The public schools provided for the Roma are usually run-down and small.  McDonalds will sell them food, but not let them sit at a table.  Other restaurants keep them out with signs such as “No dogs or Gypsies admitted.”  In addition, the Roma are often not given the free hospital care given to Romanians.  Since the end of communism in1989, many Roma have been leaving Romania in search of a better future.

For those remaining in Romania, the future of the Roma people is improving.  The European Union has criticized Romanians for poor treatment of Roma and Romania wants to join the EU, but has not yet been able to.  Roma leaders have been organizing to improve Roma society.  In addition, Amnesty International and various religious organizations are helping the Roma people.   

Although the Roma situation may be improving, it could be much better.  My hope for the Roma is that someday they will be treated as equals and are no longer persecuted and discriminated against in Romanian society.  There is a Roma saying “Prohasar man opre pirende—sa muro djibens semas opre chengende”  and it means “Bury me standing—I’ve been on my knees all my life.” 

Bibliography

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