Romani people in Syria

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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 themselves 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. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Further reading

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