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Valery_Novoselsky
Roma Discussion Boards


Joined: Thu Feb 16th, 2006
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Posted: Fri Oct 17th, 2008 04:46 pm
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Roma or Gypsy?

We have set out with the discourse of “I am a Gypsy”. This expression is an ordinary one for most of the people. For example, it is meaningless for a German to say “I am a German”, since she/he repeats an obvious reality in this way. But this kind of declaration has a different meaning for our community. If a Gypsy says “I am a Gypsy”, this expression is not a commonplace; on the contrary, it is an example of heroism on its own. People who can say “I am a Gypsy” are the real heroes. This article dedicates to these heroes.

Our people are living all around the world. Although Gypsies are different in point of various characteristics, all the ancestors of these people have been commercial nomads. All of our ancestors have survived through selling crafts like sieves, baskets and metal things in villages and cities. Despite the fact that some members of our community have settled in course of time, we all are substantially from tents. So, formidable paths have been gone.

At the present time, we cannot come to an agreement about ourselves. What is our name? Are we Romani, Abdal, Elekçi, Poşa or Gypsy? Our people cannot say “I am a Gypsy” due to lack of self-confidence and diffidence has been accumulated throughout the years like they condemn the people who can say “I am a Gypsy”. Furthermore, they can use the word of “Gypsy” to insult poorer brothers or sisters, people who live in another district or any person who anger them. What a pity that a Gypsy reviles to another as “dirty Gypsy”. Unfortunately, we often witness this kind of circumstances.

Different words like Roman, Abdal, Elekçi are used to mean “Gypsy” in different dialects around Turkey. People sometimes hide themselves behind these words for protection. What a delusion! As if you could change the mind of people who use the word of Gypsy in a negative meaning when you say “I am a Romani, not a Gypsy” “I am a Poşa, not a Gypsy” or “I am an Abdal, not a Gypsy”. As if the people who insult you when you say “I am a Gypsy”, would respect you. As if the people who do not employ you when you say “I am a Gypsy”, would employ you if you say that you are a Romani. This is a big delusion. This is one kind of self cajolery.

And some people hide themselves behind national and religious values. These people are those who say “I’m not a Gypsy, I’m Turkish citizen” or “I’m not a Gypsy, I’m Muslim”. These people cannot achieve their goals; on the other hand, they insult themselves. These expressions mean imply that a Gypsy cannot be a Turkish citizen or a Muslim. This is funny! Of course, a Gypsy might believe in any religion as well as there are Muslim Gypsies. Besides, Gypsies in Turkey are Turkish Gypsies. Gypsies have proved that they are sincere patriots in difficult days of the country. A person whose social origin is Gypsy might belong to any nation. French, German, Turkish, etc… Hiding behind the national and religious values is not just improper, but also harmful to these values.

Then, what is the proper one? Courage is required.

Unfortunately, our name is used as a curse word. In this instance, the solution cannot depend on changing our names. This problem can be solved through keeping and purifying our name bravely. Of course, this is very difficult.

Ali Mezarcioglu
Editor
http://www.cingeneyiz.org

Last edited on Fri Oct 17th, 2008 04:48 pm by Valery_Novoselsky

Valery_Novoselsky
Roma Discussion Boards


Joined: Thu Feb 16th, 2006
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Posts: 193
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Posted: Fri Oct 17th, 2008 05:45 pm
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Dear Ali,

I do not know if you speak Romani, but with the Roma a have spoken in Romani they never used the word cingene, cypsy or ciganin and it is simply because there is no such a word in our Romani mother tongue. In order to name myself in my mother tongue I use the expression Me sijom Rom. And again I never he4ard a Roma to say in Romany Me sem/sijom Cingene or Gysy or Ciganin. It seems these names are given to us by outsiders and I'm not sure whatever it fits to our self-identification.


The same is the example with bulgarians. In Bulgarian language they call themselves balgarin/balgarka - with the bulgarian impression and they ask others to call them the same way as bulgar, bulgarian, bolhar etc. and not like when someone calls them gyaur (the word is used mainly by ottomans and nowadays from some turks to call with negative connotation the Bulgarians). That's way I honestly do not prefer the others to call me cingene, gypsy or ciganin, because this word doesn't exist in my language.

Probabaly you already know that the ethimology of the word shows that it comes from greek and means - untouchable.


Best
Biser Svetlinov

Valery_Novoselsky
Roma Discussion Boards


Joined: Thu Feb 16th, 2006
Location:
Posts: 193
Status: Offline
Posted: Sat Oct 18th, 2008 05:48 pm
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Hello all,

I am wondering why none asks anymore: "is the earth round or plate"?

This is my short answer, in the form of a question. As for a longer one, I warmly invite you to read the Chapter 2 of the Frame-Statute of Rromani People in the European Union, on Rromani National Identity. You can read it in many languages here: http://www.rroma-europa.eu

Best regards,

Saimir MILE