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Bucharest Illustrated Guidebook Episode 3: The Minorities
#32/365 View On Black
Episode 3 The Minorities: Rrom
The Rrom are one of the minorities living in Romania. They came from India and reached the Balkans in the 14th century, than continued to Germany, France, Scotland and Sweden and the US. You probably know they are quite talked about around Europe, having somehow built a not-so-good reputation. However, we keep forgetting that they were slaves at least in Romania until 1856. During WW II they were systematically exterminated and are still quite discriminated against in schools and at work. During communism they were forced to abandon their traditions and language, so you it’s not hard to understand why this particular ethnic group is not really ready to behave “in a civil way”, like “us”…
On the other hand, their Indian-based society is extremely rigid. While adapting exterior aspects such as language (always mixed with the local language) and religion (idem) their traditions and hierarchy remain unchanged.
The stereotype says they’re talented musicians and in Romania gypsy singers are often called to sing at important events.
If you feel curious, I recommend watching a couple of movies by Kusturica (for example Underground and Black Cat, White Cat) for a colourful, albeit romanced point of view ☺
You could also try watching Gatlif’s Gadjo Dilo
and listening to Fanfare Ciocarlia, for some Romanian-Gypsy music!
Bucharest Illustrated Guidebook Episode 3: The Minorities
#32/365 View On Black
Episode 3 The Minorities: Rrom
The Rrom are one of the minorities living in Romania. They came from India and reached the Balkans in the 14th century, than continued to Germany, France, Scotland and Sweden and the US. You probably know they are quite talked about around Europe, having somehow built a not-so-good reputation. However, we keep forgetting that they were slaves at least in Romania until 1856. During WW II they were systematically exterminated and are still quite discriminated against in schools and at work. During communism they were forced to abandon their traditions and language, so you it’s not hard to understand why this particular ethnic group is not really ready to behave “in a civil way”, like “us”…
On the other hand, their Indian-based society is extremely rigid. While adapting exterior aspects such as language (always mixed with the local language) and religion (idem) their traditions and hierarchy remain unchanged.
The stereotype says they’re talented musicians and in Romania gypsy singers are often called to sing at important events.
If you feel curious, I recommend watching a couple of movies by Kusturica (for example Underground and Black Cat, White Cat) for a colourful, albeit romanced point of view ☺
You could also try watching Gatlif’s Gadjo Dilo
and listening to Fanfare Ciocarlia, for some Romanian-Gypsy music!