Echoes of Anatolia
A scholarly exploration into the historical assimilation, cultural distinctiveness, and migratory patterns of the Turkish Romani people.
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Identity
Self-Turkification and Assimilation
The Turkish Roma, also known by various names such as Turkish Gypsy or Horahane, represent a distinct group of Muslim Roma who have undergone a profound process of self-Turkification and cultural assimilation over several centuries. This process involved adopting Turkish culture, including the Turkish language, and embracing Sunni Islam of the Hanafi madhab, alongside practices like religious male circumcision. This assimilation was often a strategic choice, enabling them to establish a Turkish identity to gain greater recognition within the host population.
Navigating Dual Identities
Historically, many Turkish Roma have consciously denied their Romani background, choosing to declare themselves as Turks during population censuses to express their Turkishness. While they have generally been permitted to reside within Turkish communities as Turks, they frequently encounter economic discrimination. Interestingly, Christian Romani communities often do not recognize Turkish Roma as part of broader Romani society, highlighting the complex layers of identity and belonging within these groups.
The Legacy of รingene Han
A significant figure in the legendary history of the Turkish Roma is Mansur ibn Yakub Han, famously known as รingene Han. Historical accounts attribute to him the construction of a caravanserai in Malatya in 1224, the ruins of which are still visible today. Mansur bin Yakup Han is also said to be interred in the Ulu Mosque in Malatya, underscoring his enduring cultural and historical importance to the community.
History
Ancient Roots and Early Migrations
The historical narrative of the Romani people often traces back to India. Ancient chroniclers like Hamza al-Isfahani and Ferdowsi documented the migration of approximately 12,000 musicians from India to Persia, brought by Bahram Gur. This historical movement is often cited as a foundational event in the broader Romani diaspora, setting the stage for their eventual presence in Anatolia and beyond.
Ottoman Era Integration
During the Ottoman Empire, the integration of Romani communities into Turkish society saw significant developments. Following the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, Mehmed II relocated Muslim Gypsies from Balat to Istanbul. Their descendants subsequently became renowned musicians, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the city. These communities primarily spoke Turkish, with only a minimal retention of Romani vocabulary in their jargon, indicating early linguistic assimilation.
Shifting Identities and Perceptions
The perception and self-identification of Turkish Roma have been fluid. Ernest Gilliat-Smith observed in 1915 that Turkish Roma in Bulgaria did not speak Romani and were often perceived as impoverished Turks rather than Romani people. The French orientalist Henri Bourgeois even referred to some Turkish Roma as "Pseudo Chingiane." A curious historical phenomenon involved some non-Romani families in the Ottoman Empire adopting a "Gypsy (Coptic)" identity to evade military conscription until 1874, a practice they continued in records even after equal rights were granted to Muslim Roma. This historical context also saw some Turkish groups in Bulgaria being categorized as "Gypsies" or "Tatars," illustrating the complex and sometimes arbitrary nature of ethnic classification.
Migration
Core Settlements and Regional Variations
While the majority of Turkish Roma reside in Turkey, significant communities are also found across the Balkans, including Bulgaria, Greece (particularly Western Thrace), North Macedonia, and Northern Cyprus, with smaller populations in Romania (Dobruja) and Kosovo. In East Thrace, Turkey, they are often referred to as "ลopar," a term derived from Rumelian Romani with various interpretations.
Diaspora Across Europe and Beyond
The migratory history of Turkish Roma extends beyond the immediate region. A small Muslim Turkish Roma community in Dobruja, Romania, comprises descendants of those who intermingled with Turks during the Ottoman Empire. These groups are often distinguished from Romanian Christian Roma, who simply refer to them as "Turks." In Western Thrace, Greece, Turkish-speaking Muslim Roma are known as "Turko-Gifti," encompassing subgroups like Sepeฤides, Sevljara, and Kalpazaja. Turkish-speaking Gypsies in Northern Cyprus also share close ties with their counterparts in Turkey and West Thrace.
Forced Migrations and Exchanges
Periods of conflict and political upheaval significantly shaped Turkish Roma migration. During the Greek War of Independence, the Russo-Turkish War (1877โ1878), and the Balkan Wars (1912โ1913), Muslim Roma, alongside other Muslim groups, sought refuge in Istanbul and East Thrace as "Muhacir" (immigrants). The population exchange between Greece and Turkey also led to the resettlement of Muslim Turkish Roma from Greece into Turkey, where they are known as "Mรผbadil Romanlar." Similarly, under the 1925 Convention between Bulgaria and Turkey, many Muslim Turkish Gypsies from the Veliko Tarnovo district, officially registered as "Turks," emigrated to Turkey. Further waves of migration saw Muslim Turkish Roma from Bulgaria settling in รanakkale in 1950โ1951, and from Yugoslavia to Turkey between 1953 and 1968. Even in the USA, Xoraxaya (Muslim Roma from Turkey and Southeastern Europe) have established Turkish Roma dance (Roman Havasi) clubs, often identifying as "Turkish Romany."
Culture
Festivals and Beliefs
The cultural landscape of Turkish Roma is rich with unique traditions and beliefs. The annual Kakava festival, celebrated notably in Edirne, is a vibrant expression of Romani culture. Central to their spiritual heritage is the belief in a savior figure known as Baba Fingo, whose story and significance are woven into their communal practices and folklore.
Family and Social Norms
Traditional family structures and social customs play a pivotal role in Turkish Roma society. It is common for individuals to marry relatives at a relatively young age, with boys typically marrying between 15 and 19 years old, and girls between 13 and 17. Polygamy is also a widespread practice, with some men having multiple wives, sometimes up to 7-11. The community's moral framework often assesses behavior based on the social standing of the partner rather than gender alone. While both women and young men are considered objects of desire, a man's extramarital desires are traditionally expected to be pursued only with non-Romani women.
Rituals and Aspirations
Male circumcision is a significant rite of passage, typically performed on boys between the ages of 3 and 7, accompanied by a celebratory festival known as "bijav sunet." A "kirvo," or godfather, holds a crucial role, providing support to the boy during the circumcision ceremony. Beyond these rituals, some Turkish Roma men, particularly oil wrestlers, pursue this physically demanding sport as a means to transcend their socio-economic challenges, hoping to find a path out of hardship.
Genetics
Unpacking Genetic Markers
Genetic studies provide insights into the ancestral origins and admixture of the Turkish Roma population. Analysis of Y-DNA haplogroups in Turkey reveals a diverse genetic landscape. While a significant portion of the population exhibits haplogroups such as I2a (20%), J2a (18.4%), R2a (17.1%), O3-M122 (15.6%), R1b (14.9%), E1b (14.3%), R1a (12.1%), and C-RPS4Y (8.5%), the presence of Y-DNA L (4.21%) and H (0.57%) is particularly indicative of Proto-Romani paternal lineages.
Admixture and Ancestral Confirmation
The relatively low percentages of Y-DNA L and H, coupled with the prevalence of other haplogroups also found in non-Romani men, suggest a history of genetic admixture. This genetic evidence corroborates historical observations, such as A. G. Paspati's statement from 1860, which highlighted the intermingling of various peoples within the Ottoman Empire. Additionally, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis indicates that 26.5% of the Turkish Roma population carries Haplogroup M, further contributing to the understanding of their complex genetic heritage.
Cuisine
A Culinary Heritage
The "Romani cuisine" in Turkey serves as compelling evidence of the long-standing presence of Turkish Romani communities in Anatolia since ancient times. This culinary tradition is not merely a collection of recipes but a testament to their historical journey and cultural resilience. Over centuries, the unique culinary culture of the Turkish Romanis has significantly influenced and enriched the already diverse and vibrant cuisine of Anatolia, contributing distinct flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that reflect their heritage and adaptation.
Music
Rhythms and Expressions
Music and dance are integral to the cultural identity of Turkish Roma. Their distinctive Turkish music style is widely recognized for its characteristic 9/8 rhythm, which provides a lively and intricate foundation for their performances. This rhythmic complexity is often accompanied by captivating Belly dance performances, a form of artistic expression deeply embedded in their traditions. These musical and dance forms are not only entertainment but also powerful vehicles for storytelling, celebration, and the preservation of their unique cultural heritage.
Religion
Romani Islam and Sufi Orders
The religious landscape of Turkish Roma is predominantly shaped by Islam, with unique regional developments. In the Western Balkans, a distinct form of "Romani Islam" has evolved over time, blending Islamic tenets with local Romani cultural practices. In Turkey, specifically in รskรผdar, an indigenous Romani Sufi Order known as the Gulsheni Sezai order was established. This order represents a unique spiritual expression within the broader Sufi tradition, tailored to the cultural and religious experiences of the Romani community.
Emerging Christian Adherents
While Islam remains the dominant faith, there has been a notable, albeit small, shift in religious affiliation among some Turkish Roma. Since the 1990s, evangelical Christian missionaries have been active in Bulgaria, leading a minority of Turkish Roma to convert to evangelical Christianity. This development highlights the dynamic nature of religious identity and the influence of external religious movements within Romani communities.
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References
References
- Bahram V. Gur
- Bahram V. Gur
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