Romani Arts, Crafts, and Architecture

     The Romani people have experienced discrimination in virtually every place they've attempted to call home. This has led them to struggle with finding stable living areas and work, and keeps them from solidifying their place in society via education (Encyclopedia Britannica 2015). While they may not have established a place they can call home, they have managed to influence much of artistic society throughout Europe and Asia. The Roma have contributed much to the dance styles and music in these continents. One form of performing arts they've contributed is Ursari; The practicing Roma would lead a bear through the country-side and perform with him/her an indigenous dance, known as the Tanana, for paying spectators (Achim 2004). The Romani people also influenced much of the Flamenco dance style when it originated in Spain during the early 18th century.

     While the men in Romani culture tend to livestock and farming to provide food and income for their families, the women often make handicrafts to sell at nearby marketplaces (Juneaux 2014). Women who make wooden spoons or other household goods are referred to as lingurari (Achim 2004). Crafting of bead necklaces and earrings is another common job for Romani women. The women also make own clothing - a process that takes several hours - and when possible, make clothing to sell (Juneaux 2014). The traditional Romani woman would dress in a smock, head covering, and a drape. The Smock is a lightweight garment that is worn over clothing their shirt. The typical Romani woman would also were a head covering which functions like a veil that shields their face and breast (Juneaux 2014). The drape is a blanket like outer layer that the women spends a few hours hand sewing. These drapes wrap around the women and is also used like a veil to encourage modesty to the Romani women (Juneaux 2014).

     Since the end of World War II and the fall of communism throughout Europe and Asia, the Roma have used architecture to establish a new sense of identity and stability (Voroneanu 2012). The Roma have begun forming small settlements throughout Romania, and through the use of architecture have started to root themselves, however they have also demonstrated signs of assimilation to the ways of life the Romanian people have established, and this too shows in their architecture (Voroneanu 2012). This is one of the first instances where the Roma have successfully established roots without first fully assimilating to a culture and denying all ties to their indigenous roots. This marks a new age for the Roma people, since their history involves being driven from place to place, requiring them to construct a social space and adapt to the existing environment to continue in their own lifestyle (Voroneanu 2012).

References

Achim, Viorel
   The Roma in Romanian History. Budapest: Central European University Press, 2004. Electronic
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Encyclopedia Britannica

   2015 Rom | People. Electronic document.
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Juneaux,
   Gypsy women's clothing." Renaissance Magazine no. 6 (2014): 26. Electronic Document. 
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Voroneanu, Manole Razvan
   "In Whose Image?: Building a Gypsy Identity, One Image at a Time." International Journal Of 
    The Image 2, no. 2 (July 2012): 89-96. Art Full Text (H.W. Wilson), Electronic Document.  
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