Romani people in Syria

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

• Romani people in Iraq

References

External links

• The Domari Language of Aleppo (Syria)
• The Gypsies of Syria, Dom Research Center

Further reading

• Herin, B. (2012). "The Domari language of Aleppo (Syria)" Linguistic Discovery 10 (2), 1-52.

Demographics of Syria Religions Islam Sunni Shia Alawites Ismailis Druze1 Christianity Eastern Orthodox Melkite Protestant Jews Ethnic groups Arabs Bedouins Arameans Armenians Assyrians Circassians Greeks Kurds Lebanese Roma (Gypsy) Turkmens Yazidis Foreign nationals Greeks Iranians Iraqis Lebanese Pakistanis Palestinians 1 Under the terms of the Syrian Constitution the Druze community is designated as a part of the Syrian Muslim community.