Many Roma refer to themselves by one generic name, Rom (meaning “man” or “husband”), and to all non-Roma by the term Gadje (also spelled Gadze or Gaje; a term with a pejorative connotation meaning “bumpkin,” “yokel,” or “barbarian”).

Washington, DC 20024-2126 The name "Romania" (România) was first brought to Paris by young Romanian intellectuals in the 1840s, where it was spelled "Roumanie" in order to differentiate Romanians (fr. This remarkable surname may well be the first example of a national surname. Latin. What does Roma mean? [25], The name "România" as common homeland of the Romanians is documented in the early 19th century.[26]. and [when they ask] whether one is Wallachian they say: are you Roman?" The term "Roma" has come to include both the Sinti and Roma groupings, though some Roma prefer being known as "Gypsies." The name of the country became officially Republica Populară Romînă. Themes of familial and ethnic loyalty typified in Roma music helped to preserve certain beliefs, yet some of the younger and more talented exponents of this music were drawn away by material rewards in the outside world. Another humanist, who took up residence in Transylvania as a bishop of Alba Iulia, the Dalmatian Antonius Verantio, who later would become cardinal and viceroy of Habsburg Hungary, also states in 1570 that "the Wallachians call themselves Romans" and provides an example: "When they ask somebody whether they can speak Wallachian, they say: do you speak Roman? Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria also had large Romani communities. The number of truly nomadic Roma was on the decline in many places by the early 1900s, although many so-called sedentary Roma often moved seasonally, depending on their occupations. These chieftains (voivodes) are elected for life from among outstanding families of the group, and the office is not heritable.

The Roma have one of the most dramatic stories in human history, but few people really know their ancient tale of travel, persecution and survival. Their relations with the authorities in the host country have been marked by consistent contradiction. “Where do we come from?” My 5-year-old asks us that regularly, usually in the quiet time of a car ride. He governed through a council of elders that also consulted with the phuri dai, a senior woman in the band. A central feature of Roma marriages was the payment of a bride-price to the parents of the bride by the parents of the groom.

As in the case of the ethnonym "român/rumân", Romanian documents use both forms, Țara Românească and Țara Rumânească, for the country name. They were called "Gypsies" because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt. NOW 50% OFF! The phuri dai’s influence was strong, particularly in regard to the fate of the women and children, and seemed to rest much on the evident earning power and organization of the women as a group within the band. Their power and authority vary according to the size of the band, its traditions, and its relationships with other bands within a confederation. It is clear, however, that Roma nomadism has been largely insular in character. Why don't libraries smell like bookstores? Since it is a self-designation, the word "România" has an older history, coming from "românie" which in turn resulted as a derivation of the word "român" by adding the suffix "-ie" with an accented last syllable, like in ""moș → moșie", "domn" → "domnie" or "boier" → "boierie" (lord → lordship). Famous real-life people named Roma.

Bands are made up of vitsas, which are name groups of extended families with common descent either patrilineal or matrilineal, as many as 200 strong. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription.

[6] In 1532, Francesco della Valle accompanying Governor Aloisio Gritti to Transylvania, Walachia and Moldavia notes that Romanians preserved the name of the Romans (Romani) and "they call themselves in their language Romanians (Romei)".

In modern times the socialist countries of eastern Europe attempted programs of enforced settlement to end Roma migration. By the second half of the 20th century they had spread to every inhabited continent.

Many Roma traditionally worked as craftsmen and were blacksmiths, cobblers, tinsmiths, horse dealers, and toolmakers. Many Roma refer to themselves by one generic name, Rom (meaning “man” or “husband”), and to all non-Roma by the term Gadje (also spelled Gadze or Gaje; a term with a pejorative connotation meaning …