Throughout the centuries the Romani
people were believed to lack a religion, but that is not the case (Hancock,
2011). The Roma, having come from India, have religious ties to Hinduism, the
prevalent religion in that area (Hancock, 2011). Once they emigrated from India
they carried aspects of their original religion with them. As the Romani people
traveled west and settled along the way they eventually acquired the popular
religion in those areas. The reason for that is because the Romani people
needed a formal religious institution for religious ceremonies such as baptisms
and funerals (Advameg, Inc., 2015). The religions that were acquired by the
Romani people were adapted and show evidence of Hinduism, their original religion.
Furthermore, since the Roma moved
westward with large settlements in Europe the religions in that area are the
ones most popular amongst themselves. For example, the Roma did not greatly
acquire the Islamic religion from the Middle East because they migrated quickly
through the area and saw the people there as enemies (Hancock, 2011). On the
other hand, the great amounts of Romani people in Europe led to a strong adoption
of Christianity (Hancock, 2011). It is also important to note that within the
different areas of Europe they identified with various branches of Christianity
such as Catholic in Spain and Lutheran in northern Germany (Matras).
In Roma communities there are
various values and beliefs that have developed practices of proper social
action (Matras). Those practices will vary between different Roma settlements,
which developed through isolation (Matras). Since the Romani people have
religious roots in Hinduism, which is characterized by dualism, they also show
that character in their later developed beliefs. The Roma believe in kuntari, which is a universal balance (Matras).
Furthermore, the Romani also have strong beliefs in the dualistic relationship
between being “pure” and “polluted”. Purity must be maintained in personal
hygiene, the preparation of food, and personal behaviors and manners (Hancock,
2011). To maintain that pure state, spiritual balance must be maintained (Hancock,
2011). In doing so, an individual avoids
having shame placed upon them, becoming polluted, and in extreme cases of
pollution, being ostracized by the community (Hancock, 2011).
Ultimately, the Romani people are a
group that has been subject to a great deal of migration. Due to their movement
and thus further intertwinement into the global village, it has caused their
religious beliefs to be pressured and influenced. Still, the Roma maintain
characteristic values and beliefs which are derived from their past Hinduism
ties in India. Therefore, the Romani people have changed their religious
orientations with respect to where they settle, but not without adapting it by
adding aspects of their original religion from India (Hancock, 2011).
References
Advameg, Inc
2015 Roma. Electronic document, http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Roma.html,
accessed May 29, 2015.
Hancock, Ian
2001 ROMANI (“GYPSY”) RELIGION. Electronic Document, http://www.radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_romanireligion&lang=en&articles=true,
accessed May 29, 2015.
Matras, Yaron
ROMA CULTURE: AN INTRODUCTION. Electronic
Document, http://romafacts.uni-graz.at/index.php/culture/introduction/roma-culture-an-introduction,
accessed May 29, 2015
Personally, I am not characterized as a religious individual and I have a neutral stance on whether I believe in a divine being or not. My family is catholic but at least in my household we do not commonly partake in religious activities. Furthermore, my parents both immigrated to the United States from Cuba which draws some parallels between my family and the Roma. I was born here in America and although I was raised with strong ties to my Cuban heritage I also identify closely with the American culture. Because of that I see freedom of religion as a universal human right and believe it unnecessary for an indigenous group to have to assimilate to a host countries popular religion.
ReplyDeleteI find myself empathizing with the Romani people due to their forced migration and lack of a "home". In understanding why they had to change their religious alignment in relation to where they were settled I see it as a means of them adapting to survive. By accepting a regions popular religion they can reduce the amount of ill sentiment towards them as they were inevitably seen as outsiders. It pleases me to know that even as they adopted the religions they encountered during their travel, they adapted it to their original religious beliefs. In doing so I believe the Roma were able to preserve a crucial part of their identity, although a great deal of it is altered. Ultimately, the Roma have been subject to a great deal of global pressure which have resulted in the altering of their religion, values, and beliefs. Going forward I hope that the Romani people will keep holding on to their traditions and strengthening them as a globalizing world threatens its existence.
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