Romani people in Syria

Romani people in Syria
Total population
45,700 [1]
Languages
Domari, Arabic, Aramaic, Kurdish, Turkish
Religion
Islam, Christianity, Romani religion
Related ethnic groups
Dom people, Nawar people, Kawliya

Romani people in Syria speak the Domari language. They immigrated to the territory of the present day Syria from South Asia, particularly from India, in Byzantine times. Romani (Dom or Nawar) people self-segregated themseves for centuries from the dominant culture of Syria, who view Romani as dishonorable though clever. Historically, Gypsies in Syria have provided musical entertainment as weddings and other celebrations. The majority of Syrian Romani encampments are found in rural areas.[2]

The exonym "Nawar" could be used sometimes offensively, denoting a contemptible and immoral lifestyle associating them with beggars, itinerants, and thieves.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gypsy, Domari, Zott in Syria
  2. ↑ Commins, David Dean (2004). Historical Dictionary of Syria. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-4934-8. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  3. ↑ Berland, Joseph C. (2004). Customary Strangers: New Perspectives on Peripatetic Peoples in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-89789-771-4. Retrieved 2013-10-28.

External links

Further reading