The Kalderash (also spelled Kalderaš) are a subgroup of the Romani people, from the Roma meta-group. They were traditionally smiths and metal workers and speak a number of Romani dialects grouped together under the term Kalderash Romani, a sub-group of Vlax Romani.
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The name Kalderash (Căldărari in Romanian, Kalderash in Romani, котляры (Kotlyary) in Ukrainian, and Кэлдэрары (Kelderary) in Russian) descends from Latin caldāria (related to Romanian căldare "cauldron, bucket, pail", Modern Greek καρδάρι and English cauldron), in effect describing their trade as tinkers.[1] Many Roma and non-Roma living throughout Europe have the surname "Caldaras", linking their ancestry to this Romani subgroup.[2] An annual Gypsy festival in San Sebastián is still commemorated by the procession of the Caldereros on February 2nd each year.
There are about two hundred thousand Căldărari living in Romania. They spread throughout Ukraine migrating from Bessarabia to the north and east.
Nowadays, due to industrialisation, metalcraft is no longer as profitable, so the Kalderash have diversified their sources of income, though often they remain in metallurgy.
The Kalderash traditional dress is one of the most famous Romani traditional dresses, and is still worn. They usually marry at a very young age (15–20, last 20 years in Russia 12–18) and have very strict customs relating to hygiene.
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