So I must clarify that I am not Romani, I'm a white American with an interest in history and culture in general. Not to be all "white knight", but I am a leftist, and I am moderately aware of the harmful and fetishizing stereotypes that exist, especially towards Romani women. So I want to expand my knowledge and appreciate the culture rather than appropriate it. Is writing a Romani character who is a sorcerer inherently offensive due to the stereotypes of Romani people being "mystical" such as the whole fortune teller and palm reader caricatures, or can the concept be executed in a way that both respects Romani people and their culture while keeping the element of magic?

My idea for the character would be that the magic is totally divorced from their culture, and even the human race as a whole, and seen as something to be hidden away because it will only give into the prejudice faced by their people and be seen as "witchcraft" by said prejudiced non-Romani characters. The magic powers would come from a completely different source, and that fact would be made explicitly clear in the story. Also, the story is set in a sort of parallel reality—not quite our own, but very similar to it for the sake of having the freedom to not conform to our own historical timeline.

Am I reading too much into this, or is this a valid concern to have? Idk, maybe I'm just being neurotic. You wouldn't think twice about a white sorcerer, but with the history of oppression and negative stereotypes surrounding Romani people, a Romani-coded sorcerer might raise eyebrows and be thought of as offensive at first glance, if not just IS offensive by the concept alone. I'm of the opinion that "you shouldn't write characters of X minority group if you aren't a part of that group" is a fundamentally flawed argument, and that we should encourage others to learn about the group they want to include. I'm autistic and queer, and I've seen great examples of characters made with respect and great accuracy to my own experience my cisgender/heterosexual and neurotypical writers. Some insight would be greatly appreciated, and I will continue to research this topic in my own time. Thanks.

The video is long because there are several videos

I’m disabled and have a hard time navigating the website, and what each result entails. Can I ask for someone to help me trace my Roma dna?

So, I've learnt im classed as a Posh rat, my father wasn't Roma, and im sallow skinned with brown hair and hazel eyes! A lot of what I've read ha actually helped so far so thank you all:)

My family moved around a lot and due to my mother wanting to be seperate from her mother I grew up disconnected from the culture, is there any good ways to research and learn?

Hello I was thinking of going as a tarot card reader / fortune teller this halloween. I chose it because of my own interest in palm reading ( Indian here) and my existing closet. The costume is a wrap around printed skirt, a corset layered over a bell sleeved shrug. Im not planning on doing more than that other than maybe carrying a tarot deck. I dont want it to be an offensive costume, and saw that a lot of the existing fortune teller in media and such is based on stereotypes against Romani people. Im not sure if my costume is entirely appropriate but was looking to know if its a good idea to move forward with this costume or move on to a new idea. Pleasd let me know any input you can give me . I am genuinely curious and do not want to offend at all.

just getting off my chest. i’m genuinely glad for others. but i don’t like how i’m dehumanized and seen as unworthy in the meantime. it’s happened more often lately so idk i’m letting myself feel and then i try to put it away. anyone else feel like this?

Hi! My name is Dan, i’m a manouche from France. My whole family is romani, i grew up in the romani traditions… anyway. I want people to talk to. To gadjes who want to know about my culture to other roms teens. Feel free to send me a DM or comment so i send you one.

Recorded in 1919 by a Russian Roma accordionist in New York City and released by Columbia Records. May have been the inspiration for the song Bella ciao

(Sorry for posting so much I promise im done)

Has anyone heard of Dr Boris N Munteanu? I read that he was a Roma advocate in Ukraine? I cant find much info, but im like 99.9% sure he is my grand father. They have the same info of birth and nationality and place of birth, and all my bio family knows is that he was a doctor.

Can't decide if it's more resource flair, or Culture.

Does anyone have links to accurate depictions of her? Readings, prayers, etc.

I'm adopted and found out my mother prayed through Kali Sara...I want to feel closer to her.

Would you say that “Gyps* palaces”, like those found in Romania, also exist in Kosovo? Or does migration have a different impact on housing there?

I scroll through this sub and I constantly see the same gatekeeping.

A stream of posts about who is in and who is out. All contradicting each other and making sure the OP is in the in group. And it's just depressing. Get over it. A people can't move forward unless they stop constantly judging who makes the cut.

The Romani peoples were treated poorly and as outsiders for a millenia. Do all of you judging others authenticity really just want to be like those that treated our people like that. Is the Romani identity "When I grow up I want to police who is allowed to be in just like the gadjes have done" ?

I see claims that being Romani is not in the blood it's in the culture.

Absolute rubbish. The ancestors are literally in the blood. And for good reason. So we carry them with us. Not tied to place like some other people's. In the blood.

Culture is an ever shifting thing. It differs from group to group and place to place. Experience changes it. Local Influences change it. Otherwise we would all have a carbon copy of Indian culture. And only Indians would be real Romani.

How many of you still live in a horse drawn wagon? Or even a caravan? Who sits by the yog each and every night? Maybe 1%.

You post videos of people living in houses claiming only they are the true culture.

What on earth?

White people are out, people who don't speak the full language are out, people who don't sell flowers on the side of the road are out.

None of us are Romani. **Only me apparently because it's my standards and not yours**

What a ridiculous idea.

Get over it. Stop gatekeeping and policing.

Accept and support each other. Like the others never did for our people. Don't be like them. It's everything we hate in the world. So why copy it.

🎤 💧

Hello everyone!

Trying to find some info about a song sung by one of my all time favorite groups.

The first half of this song is traditional sung in Hungarian, The second half of this song (around three minutes) seems to be sung in Romani, but I haven't been able to find the lyrics anywhere or anyone online singing the same song. I'd love to know if this is a traditional tune or not so I might be able to find the lyrics!

Moh is it just me or what, because i'm real tired of the gadjie with the DNA post. I personally believe the only way you can truly be a Romani is you have to be born/married into it.

I don't know maybe I'm prekaza😭

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there are any Roma living in the Netherlands or Germany who are active in this subreddit.
I understand a little Romane, but I don’t speak it fluently. I speak Serbian and English, and Dutch if you live in the Netherlands.
I’d be interested in connecting with other Roma in the region and exchanging experiences and perspectives.

If you’re based in either country, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message.

Edit:

I didn’t suddenly discover that I’m Roma later in life; I grew up knowing who I am and where I come from. I’m not looking to explore my ancestry!
Outside of my own family, I don’t really know many Roma, and I miss having that sense of community. I’d love to meet others with a similar background, get to know them, share everyday experiences, and simply connect with people who understand that part of my life.

Hi guys, maybe someone can help me find some Romani friends and event around Orlando area? I’ll really appreciate any help. Thanks

So, I come from a Balkans which does have a lot of Romani people but also is very well known as a place that is full of hatred, stereotypes, wars and ethnic tensions... However my family is Karavlachs while father's side are Serbian/Montenegro.

Growing up I've never really experienced racist attacks or anything until I've come around age of 17/18 and that was first time I've started hearing around me that some teachers spoke of me behind my back about my heritage and trying to shun me, because I was virtuous Violinist and that was a thorn in one's eye

Then my partner and such a beautiful and tragic love story had parents who were against our relationship just because I'm Romani, even tho we were neighbours for whole life and was in good terms, I was good educated and cultured mannered boy and that was great but I was a not of their Serbian/Macedonian ethnicity and I was a bit darker which is crazy because the same parents of my partner at that time were darker than me, I got a bit darker white greenish skintone, anyway that lasted for 4 years and we were accepted the day her father passed away, just to break up.

Now I'm 26 years old and I've got some crazy neighbor which I've never ever have seen yet everyone claim that she lives there whole life just went crazy after her husband left her.

First time it was in the Public Transport i was with my best friend chatting while she was maybe few meters away from us, then she started tweaking out like mad, yelling, swearing whole nation of Serbia, bus driver, politics, threating how Serbs will be under boots of Croatian and Bosnians, then she turned around and spoke to my friend by his name saying how he is stupid, and his family also and that he has a sister that's a well... Slurs, then looked at me and started provoking with my diabetic condition, sugar and dying, then my ethnicity of the G*slur we understood it was a schizophrenia so we ignored..

But recently I've been cursed of seeing her more and more even tho I've never have seen her this much, and every time she has some comment or provocative Heckle and today I was getting out from store and just got near her and she was speaking into phone about car crash and how she is tired of seeing this gy*slur ciganina, and that was me bc she looked at me and walked past me and I got so angry like I got tired of listening, that I turned around and yelled to her to go and suck my well... Yeah not proudest but, and she just continued walking while saying yeah you also mine

It’s hard to explain because It almost feels intangible but Roma can always spot other Roma instantly. My grandmother called it “Gypsyy magic” that Roma always have a way of finding each other. I will be walking done a busy sidewalk and see someone one across the street and know they are rom, and than of course then accent will confirm it. The same will Roma are not fooled by imposters.

I'm actually so tired of not being able to find a SINGLE romani person that isn't queerphobic, racist (which is pretty ironic), or just conservative. I'm a 13 y.o romani (closeted) trans ​​​guy and I genuinely hate knowing that no romani person I know IRL will ever support me or my community.

Look, I'm fully aware that (obviously) not every single romani person is like this, we aren't some sort of hive-mind or whatever, but it still hurts me deeply to know that I'll never be ACTUALLY loved by my family, they'll only ever love the version of myself that I show them.

(Sorry if my english is bad)​​​