Tatar Roma
Tatar Roma are a Roma minority with a Turkic language, mostly found in Bulgaria and in Romania.
History
While Crimean Roma groups spoke Crimean Tatar, Tatar Roma were most likely with Nogais in Budjak and spoke Nogai Tatar. The Krimurja group of Crimean Roma in Crimea did settled from Budjak to Crimea (it is claimed that Krimurja did come to Crimea with the Nogais) and they did have Nogai influence in their Romani (also interesting that they were Muslims before coming to Crimea), the ancestors of Tatar Roma do have probably connection with them. They were called in humiliated way as şingene „Gypsy“ (in Crimea çingene) or praun „Pharaoh“ (in Crimea frauni). They did arrive with other Tatars in Dobruja, mostly after the Crimean War, under the conditions of the Paris Treaty of 1856.
Subgroups
There are two known subgroups: Davulcu (drummer) and Şorapşı (hosier), also known as Çorapçı.
Language
They don’t know Romani, they speak a Tatar language similar to Nogai Tatar. It shows some kind of Gagauz/Turkish influence and retroflex pronunciation.
Their language is commonly mistaken as Crimean Tatar.
Religion
Tatar Roma are generally Muslims. The community also shows South Asian traditions which is typical for Romani mythology.
Status
They represent themselves as Tatar to avoid segregation. Some Tatars separate them from their community for being Romani. As well some Roma people separate Tatar Roma, because according to them there is a missing "Romanipen".
Tatar Roma did also suffer from the "Bulgarisation" in 1980's.
In Romania some researchers are interested with Tatar Roma.
See also
- Romani people in Bulgaria
- Romani people in Romania
- Crimean Roma