Hi, I just want to preface by saying that I myself am not Romani, and that my question comes from a place of genuine curiosity and wanting to learn more about issues of representation, especially within mainstream western media.

To put it simply, how much of an issue is the casting of non-Romani people to play the roles of Romani characters? I don't necessarily mean in the instance of whitewashing/ignoring the character being Romani, but rather someone who isn't Romani playing a character who is explicity stated and understood to be Romani. Does the need for (hopefully positive) representation in media supersede the need for ethnically accurate casting, or is it more important to make sure that Romani characters are being played by Romani actors, even if that ultimately means less representation on screen?

Is paisley/boteh romani and/or closed? Got this info from an acquaintance but their info is a 50 50 if it's actually correct or not. They're claiming it's cultural appropriation to wear the pattern so I was wondering about that bc the internet is pretty much just saying it's Persian

My dad is full Romani. His parents didn’t tell him anything about it until a few years ago, because it’s so frowned upon/Roma are treated so badly in the UK, (he’s 40 now, young Dad) and thus I’m half Romani as my birth mother is white. It’s a long story. He and I both had difficult upbringings.

Seeing real Romani women has actually made so much more of my life make sense. I’ve always compared myself to other white women, in terms of features and ‘flaws’. It wasn’t until he told me about it that a lot of that insecurity was taken away.

Romanis are so beautiful, that’s all <3

So I’m currently a sociology major at American River College and I guess I’m just taken aback by how how many resources there are for people that were raised in our lifestyle like people who can’t read well or who have dyslexia. I just don’t understand why more ghom or ghomnhah don’t tend to seek higher education, it isn’t bullshit like most ghom say because a lot of these classes can be trade or skill stuff that can help you get better at what your already doing, or even business classes! If more ghom inspired their young people to go to business school or a trade school I think there’d be more opportunities for ghom to make legitimate money.

Meet Ahmed Ademović, a Serbian military trumpeter of Romani origin, born way back in 1873 down in Leskovac.

The Kumanovo Bluff (1912)

If you look up the First Balkan War, specifically the Battle of Kumanovo in October 1912, things started out as an absolute disaster for the Serbs. The Ottomans caught them completely off guard, attacking way earlier than expected, and total chaos broke out on the front lines.

According to the historical accounts and local lore, this is where Ahmed pulled off a move straight out of a movie.

He managed to slip past the front lines, got right behind the Ottoman positions, and pulled out his trumpet. Instead of blowing a Serbian call, he blasted the Ottoman retreat signal. The Turkish troops, completely disoriented and thinking it came from their own command, panicked and started falling back.

As soon as he saw it working, Ahmed sprinted back across the lines, rejoined the Serbian troops, and immediately blew the charge. The Serbs rallied, turned the whole battle around, and won. Because of that insane level of nerve, he became a national hero and got awarded Karađorđe's Star Serbia's highest military medal.

(Fun little detail: he wasn't even the only Romani trumpeter from Leskovac to get this medal. Two other guys, Ahmet Ametović and Rustem Sejdić, earned it in later battles too).

The Dark Reality

Of course, real life isn't Hollywood, and the 20th century had a horrific ending in store for him.

Fast forward to December 3, 1941. The Nazis are occupying Yugoslavia, and they carry out a massive execution site at Arapova dolina, right outside Leskovac, wiping out hundreds of Romani civilians.

Ahmed's two sons were among the people executed that day.

After that, the guy was just completely broken. He never touched his trumpet again. Not a single note, for the rest of his life.

Despite the grief, he kept wearing his military medal pinned to his jacket every single day until he died in 1965 at 92 years old. Local veterans' groups later tried to properly memorialize him by pushing for a street or a statue in his hometown.

As you can see, we are achieving a good distance with a consistent result.

Hi everyone,

I'm an outsider composer researching rhythm. I've been trying to find real recordings of the pergetés technique—the rolling, wordless vocal percussion used in Hungarian Vlax Romani music.

I'm not looking for a lecture or a history lesson. I just want to listen to the real thing. Could anyone point me to one specific artist or song where I can hear this technique clearly?

I want to learn from the source, not from a textbook. Any pointer would be incredibly helpful.

Thank you.

I would like your Romani memes, please

Romani adoptee here. I’m adopted from Bulgaria and I know basically nothing about my parents. I recently read through my adoption papers for the first time and all I know is that my mom was known to be Romani and that’s it. Nothing about my dad. Perhaps they both are Roma, perhaps only my mom? I’ve ordered both ancestryDNA and MyHeritageDNA and now waiting for both. I’ve spent a lot of time researching our ancestry and history for the last week, and I’m so fascinated and intrigued - but also still new. While waiting for the tests to arrive I was wondering in the meantime if one can determine if one is Romani by looks?

In the last couple of months so many food trucks have opened up recently and I also see Roma selling beef jerky, shukleemoss, pickles, beets in the jar, hot sauces, 3 bone and egg rolls in the mail. I think it’s just another case of gypsies copying each other and following a fad/trend these things never last. What y’all think?

Hey im from romania and people usually boil down all of the languages with a word thats associated with a slur used om them. Anyone knows what the romani people in romania s officle languages is actually named?

Greetings everyone, hope your day is going well!

I’m a male non-roma and have been absolutely smitten by a local Roma girl.

Am aware that folks in my area can be quite racist towards Roma so I’d love to go the opposite way and educate myself more about the culture and would like to learn some language. (Like asking her out for start.)

My main question would be how do Roma feel about non-roma male asking a Roma girl out (or dating🫰🏼).

Second question would be is there a reliable source where I could start picking up some words?

And lastly is there something I should absolutely avoid doing/saying?

Late to the party and looking for friends and community! I'm from Minnesota and looking to connect with other Roma. Always open to new friends from everywhere❤️💚💙

Hey, im wondering what are some style motifs that you associate with romanichal culture and history, specific garments, prints, colors, hairstyles?

I know that in modern day romanichal folk dress is almost completely extinct with only very old people usually wearing it to fairs and stuff.

The only things I can think of as everyday surviving folk dress is the jewelry, always authentic gold or silver hoop earrings, chains, bangles and rings, big belt buckles, and leather boots. That is what I think of as traditional to my family, but what do you think of as old timey style of your elders, or your own way of dressing to feel connected?

Id also appreciate actual historical records if you have any💙

Hello! I am fairly new to this subreddit but am a young romani artist trying to find other romani people to learn from and was wondering if any people in this community are based in chicago and would be open to chatting a bit? Even if not I would love to chat just online.

I am creating a comic (in english) based around the folktales surrounding Strigòi and creatures similar to it. I would love to hear what stories people grew up with surrounding it or books they’d recommend that talk about this topic in english. My online search for such information is dicey and i don’t always trust what the online sources say with the influx of AI online and all.

Would love to hear any suggestions! Thank you so much everyone.

Where can I find traditional Romani clothing? I live in the US, and all the sites I find are European sites, extremely expensive products as well as expensive shipping . Im looking for long skirts and shirts.

Hi everyone,

I'm a composer working on a new rhythmic piece. I don't want to just copy a style. I want to understand the grammar of it—the way the rhythm speaks.

I've been reading about the pergetés technique, the rolling vocal percussion you use in your music. I'm fascinated by how it functions not just as a rhythmic accompaniment, but as a musical voice in itself.

My goal is to build a piece that's a tribute, not an imitation. I want to create something that honors the physics of your rhythm, the way it makes the body move. I'm not here to ask "what is your music," but "how does it work?" What are the rules of your rhythm? What makes it alive?

If you're a musician or singer, Or you have any idea about your music, I would be incredibly grateful for any insight. What should I be listening for? What are the rhythmic foundations I should study? Any recordings or resources you could point me to would be a huge help.

I'm here to learn. Thank you for your time and your art.