Background on the Romaby Rita Markwell Many Western people know these people as Gypsies. The names these people choose for themselves is Roma, Romani and Rom. There are more than twelve million Roma located in approximately 40 countries around the world. Romani people originated from NW India about a thousand years ago and travelled into Turkey, the Middle East and Europe. There a number of Romani nations speaking different dialects of Romani language (which is of an Indo-Aryan origin). Romani culture is diverse and has been strongly influenced by the countries people have lived in. A lot has been said and written about the Roma which has created a romantic, and at times demonic, branding of "Gypsy" culture. It is only through the Roma's own arts, documentaries, advocacy and enterprise that us non-Roma are getting a more accurate picture of Roma life. While there is incredible strength, resolve and pride in Rom culture, many of us (particularly in the dance community) gloss over the real life circumstances of these people. The Roma have sadly suffered persecution throughout history. Somewhere between 500 000 to 1.5 million Roma were killed in the Holocaust. Roma still face widespread racism in Europe. You can see this racism on the internet pages of YouTube next to "Gypsy" footage. Racially-motivated violence against Roma either during conflict (Kosovo) and in peace time often goes unrecognised by authorities. Many Roma face discrimination and have poor access to education and training, health care and other services in their home countries . (http://www.romaniworld.com/) ( http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/uploads/_rbec%20web/Employing_the_Roma.pdf) The dancing community has romanticised "Gypsy" culture and dance as evoking a spirit of freedom and gutsy female strength. GypsyNoir draws on this romanticised spirit in its performance, but we do not claim to represent Romani dance or people. Modern Gypsy (what I teach at the Canberra Dance Theatre) blends some real Romani dance movements with other "imagined" movements - movements inspired by a perception of "Gypsy". That is why it is called Modern Gypsy, and not Modern Rom, although I attempt to educate students about Roma people. It is gesture of respect to learn what you can about the people whose culture and music you are using. It is the same with Australian Indigenous cultures – we like didgeridoos and corroborres at formal Australian ceremonies but how many of us stop to think more deeply about the situation of Indigenous Australians? To hear what their real issues are? This page is dedicated to providing links to websites on Romany dance forms, Romany inspired/fusion dance forms, and on the history and current issues facing the Roma. Happy surfing! Web LINKShttp://www.theprogram.net.au/featuresSub.asp?id=602 | Roma in Australia - "According to Jimmie Storrie, a Scottish Romani and Australian researcher of Romani culture, there were four Rom on the first fleet to Australia, one of whom was a crew member whose brother was a convict on the same ship. Another convict named James Squire (no relation to the trendy beer), was granted freedom and become a close friend to Captain Phillip. Today there are over 20,000 declared ethnic Rom in Australia. However considering England and Ireland had a large 'Gypsy' population when Australia became a convict island, many would have been shipped to Australia." | | http://romnews.com/community/index.php | Premiere Rom news website, current affairs and flash animation of Roma history | | http://www.rroma.org/hot_news/ | Selected Rom news links | | http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/uploads/_rbec%20web/Employing_the_Roma.pdf | Report by Ernst and Young for the UN Developmenr Programme on Employment programs needed for Roma in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Contains an interesting run-down of the current poverty and economic exclusion of Roma people. | http://www.romaniworld.com/ | Rom advocacy website - "Over 250,000 Roma children are forced by governments into segregated educational denial in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (around 150,000 in Special schools and some 100,000 in other segregated establishments)." | http://www.errc.org | The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is an international public interest law organisation engaging in a range of activities aimed at combating anti-Romani racism and human rights abuse of Roma. Internships are available with this organisation. | http://www.unionromani.org/ | The UNION ROMANI is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation which is concerned with defending the gypsy community. It carries out its activities throughout Spain and also works together with the INTERNATIONAL UNION ROMANI, on activities designed to gain recognition of the culture of the gypsy people, as an asset within the global culture. | | Http://www.romani.org/ | Website "Dedicated to the Roma for their recognition as a people and as a nation, and To their struggle for freedom and against persecution and oppression worldwide" | | http://www.voiceofroma.com/ | Voice of Roma is a nonprofit corporation that organizes and promotes educational and charitable projects for and about Roma. Our goal is to provide Roma, with a special emphasis on the inclusion of Romani women, with a voice, in their local communities, as well as nationally and internationally. Voice of Roma is work primarily in the San Francisco and Northern Bay Area of California, presenting authentic Romani culture, music and art, counteracting the hype of the romanticized "Gypsy", and educating the public about history, current events and the plight of the Kosovo Roma. | | http://www.geocities.com/~Patrin/timeline.htm | Timeline of Romani History | | http://www.romaniwriters.com/about.htm | International Romani Writers' Association, IRWA (Kansainvälinen Romanikirjailijaliitto) was founded in Karjaa, Finland on 20/21 of July 2002. |
YouTube – Romani danceThere is an endless amount of Romani dance films on YouTube – here is just a few: Sites about Romany authentic and fusion/inspired dance| http://www.shuvani.com/company.html | Based in Berkeley, California, Shuvani is a performing arts company devoted to celebrating the rich heritage of the authentic arts of the Romani "Gypsy" Trail. Video footage on site. Excellent information on different styles of Romani dance. | http://www.galbeno.co.yu/musicschool/m-index.html | AMALA School for Romani culture is proud to offer a very rare window into real Romani culture and courses you will find nowhere else. We break down the wishful and fearful mythology of the Gypsy and replace it with actual knowledge of Romani people, language, history, music, and dance. Located in the picturesque Serbian hills in the town of Valjevo, 100 kilometers southwest of Belgrade, the Amala School for Roma (Gypsy) and Serbian music, dance and language presents the unique opportunity to discover Romani and Serbian culture in an authentic setting. We offer 7- and 14-day sessions throughout the summer. | | http://www.daliacarella.com/dunyavi.html | Dalia has been creating her own unique style of dance, called "Dunyavi Gypsy (Rom) Dance", since 1985. Over the years, Dalia has extensively researched and gathered information on the Rom throughout the world. Dalia's focus has been on the Roma movements primarily from Turkey, Spain and India. Video footage on her website | http://www.romani.org/local/roma_dance_art.html | Romani Dance - "Romano Kheliben" Links Roma to India
Article by Nadia Hava-Robbins, MA
California, USA
September, 1999 | www.strongdancer.com | Beautiful dancer Elizabeth Strong, from Bay area. Studies, teaches and performs Turkish Roman | http://www.kristinamelike.com/home.htm | Kristina Melike performs Romany (Gypsy) Dance from Turkey & the Southern Balkans as well as Oriental Bellydance. Her performance highlights include appearing as a Guest Artist with Husnu Senlendirici (from Turkey), Kal (Romany band from Serbia), Turbo Tabla's "Bellydance Overdrive," and at the CUNY Graduate Center. As a guest dancer with the brass band Slavic Soul Party , she has performed in festivals and clubs on tour throughout the US and at home in NYC. |
Films"When the road bends: Tales of a gypsy caravan"
Maharaja, Antonio El Pipa, Esma Redzepova, Jasmine Dellal "Latcho Drom (1994)" The journey of the Romany people told through musicians and dancers of India, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and Spain | "Swing (2003)" Max is just 10 years old and an only child. He has a real love for Manouche jazz and wants to emulate guitar virtuoso Miraldo. In search of a guitar he ventures into a nearby neighbourhood where the gypsies live. Here he meets Swing, a ten year old free spirited young girl who, even though she is his age, appears to be very grown up. Max soon has another fascination other than music. Is it love? Max may have a love for Manouche jazz, but his music lessons are suddenly getting in the way of being able to spend time with Swing. Directed by Tony Gatlif |
INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY 6 APRIL - Ever since the 1st World Romani Congress in 1971, 6 April has become International Roma Day, or Roma Nation Day.
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Roma/Gypsy Resources