Roma people of Greece
Encyclopedia
The Romani people of Greece are called Arlije/Erlides, Tsiganoi or the more derogatory term Gyftoi.
There were between 300,000 and 350,000 Roma in Greece, according to an estimate published by Greek Helsinki Monitor in 1999. The Greek Government estimates place their number between 200,000 and 300,000. The Romani minority comprise around 3% of the total Greek population.
goes back to the 15th century. The name Gypsy sometimes used for the Romani people was first given to them by the Greeks
, who supposed them to be Egyptian in origin. Due to their nomadic nature, they are not concentrated in a specific geographical area, but are dispersed all over the country. The majority of the Greek Roma are Orthodox Christians who speak the Romani language
in addition to Greek
. Most of the Roma who live in Western Thrace
are Muslims and speak a dialect of the same language.
The Roma in Greece live scattered on the whole territory of the country, but a large concentration in the bigger cities, mainly in Athens
and Thessalonica. Notable centres of Romani life in Greece are Agia Varvara
which has a very successful Romani community and Ano Liosia
where conditions are bad. Roma largely maintain their own customs and traditions. Although a large number of Roma has adopted a sedentary and urban way of living, there are still settlements in some areas. The nomads at the settlements often differentiate themselves from the rest of the population. They number 200,000 according to the Greek government. According to the National Commission for Human Rights that number is closer to 250,000 and according to the Greek Helsinki Watch group to 300,000.
As a result of neglect by the state, among other factors, the Romani communities in Greece face several problems including high instances of child labour and abuse, low school attendance, police discrimination and drug trafficking. The most serious issue is the housing problem since many Roma in Greece
still live in tents, on properties they do not own, making them subject to eviction. In the past decade these issues have received wider attention and some state funding.
On two occasions, the European Committee of Social Rights found Greece to violate the European Social Charter
by its policy towards Roma in the field of housing.
concentrated in Thrace
have taken a Turkish identity (Tourkogeneis).
and davul
duos (analogous to the shawm and drum partnership common in Romani music) and Izmir-influenced koumpaneia music. Koumpaneia has long been popular among Greek Roma and Jews (the latter being some of the most popular performers before World War II
), especially in the city of Ioannina
, and has recently been popularized by artists like Kostas Pavlidis and Yianni Saleas.
The Romani people are also known for their great skills in belly-dancing (Tsifteteli
).
There were between 300,000 and 350,000 Roma in Greece, according to an estimate published by Greek Helsinki Monitor in 1999. The Greek Government estimates place their number between 200,000 and 300,000. The Romani minority comprise around 3% of the total Greek population.
Arrival into the Balkans
The history of Roma in GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
goes back to the 15th century. The name Gypsy sometimes used for the Romani people was first given to them by the Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
, who supposed them to be Egyptian in origin. Due to their nomadic nature, they are not concentrated in a specific geographical area, but are dispersed all over the country. The majority of the Greek Roma are Orthodox Christians who speak the Romani language
Romani language
Romani or Romany, Gypsy or Gipsy is any of several languages of the Romani people. They are Indic, sometimes classified in the "Central" or "Northwestern" zone, and sometimes treated as a branch of their own....
in addition to Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
. Most of the Roma who live in Western Thrace
Western Thrace
Western Thrace or simply Thrace is a geographic and historical region of Greece, located between the Nestos and Evros rivers in the northeast of the country. Together with the regions of Macedonia and Epirus, it is often referred to informally as northern Greece...
are Muslims and speak a dialect of the same language.
Settlements
(Latin Greek: Gyftomahala, Gyftika)The Roma in Greece live scattered on the whole territory of the country, but a large concentration in the bigger cities, mainly in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and Thessalonica. Notable centres of Romani life in Greece are Agia Varvara
Agia Varvara
Agia Varvara The area was mainly made up of farmlands. Mixed farming was common. Urban development replaced much of the farmlands between the 1940s and the 1970s. Today, most of the municipality are urbanized or residential. The rocky landscape of Aigaleo with a few bushes and pine forests lies to...
which has a very successful Romani community and Ano Liosia
Ano Liosia
Ano Liosia is a suburb and a former municipality in the northern part of the Athens agglomeration, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Fyli, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit....
where conditions are bad. Roma largely maintain their own customs and traditions. Although a large number of Roma has adopted a sedentary and urban way of living, there are still settlements in some areas. The nomads at the settlements often differentiate themselves from the rest of the population. They number 200,000 according to the Greek government. According to the National Commission for Human Rights that number is closer to 250,000 and according to the Greek Helsinki Watch group to 300,000.
As a result of neglect by the state, among other factors, the Romani communities in Greece face several problems including high instances of child labour and abuse, low school attendance, police discrimination and drug trafficking. The most serious issue is the housing problem since many Roma in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
still live in tents, on properties they do not own, making them subject to eviction. In the past decade these issues have received wider attention and some state funding.
On two occasions, the European Committee of Social Rights found Greece to violate the European Social Charter
European Social Charter
The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996. The Revised Charter came into force in 1999 and is gradually replacing the initial 1961 treaty...
by its policy towards Roma in the field of housing.
Religion
The majority of the Greek Roma are Orthodox Christian and have taken a Greek identity (language, names) while the Muslim RomaMuslim Roma
Muslim Roma or Muslim Gypsies are Romani people who adopted Islam. Romanies have usually adopted the predominant religion of the host country. Islam among Romanies is historically associated with life of Romanies within the Ottoman Empire...
concentrated in Thrace
Thrace
Thrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe. As a geographical concept, Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east...
have taken a Turkish identity (Tourkogeneis).
Music and dance
Roma in Greece are known for the zurnaZurna
The zurna , is a multinational outdoor wind instrument, usually accompanied by a davul in Anatolian folk music. The name is from Turkish zurna, itself derived from Persian سرنای surnāy, composed of sūr “banquet, feast” and nāy “reed, pipe”...
and davul
Davul
The davul or tupan is a large double-headed drum that is played with sticks. It has many names depending on the country and region.-Names:Some names of davuls include:*tupan *davul...
duos (analogous to the shawm and drum partnership common in Romani music) and Izmir-influenced koumpaneia music. Koumpaneia has long been popular among Greek Roma and Jews (the latter being some of the most popular performers before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
), especially in the city of Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
, and has recently been popularized by artists like Kostas Pavlidis and Yianni Saleas.
The Romani people are also known for their great skills in belly-dancing (Tsifteteli
Tsifteteli
The Tsifteteli , is a rhythm and dance of Anatolia and the Balkans with a rhythmic pattern of 2/4. The dance is probably of Turkish origin and in the Turkish language it means "double stringed", taken from the violin playing style that is practiced in this kind of music...
).
Notable Roma from Greece
- Sotis VolanisSotis VolanisSotis Volanis is a Greek pop folk singer, that made a significant success during the year 2002.Sotis Volanis, was born in Akrolimni, Central Macedonia to Romani parents. After his major debut, his fame slowly declined...
- Vassilis SaleasVassilis SaleasVasilis Saleas is a clarinetist of Greece.A former accompanist for Mikis Theodorakis, Dionisis Savopoulos, and Stamatis Spanoudakis, Saleas has worked with Greek new age instrumentalist and composer Vangelis Papathanasiou since the early '90s...
- Giorgos Xanthiotis
- Kostas Pavlidis
- Basilis Paiteris