Romani Americans
Romani Americans (Romani: romani-amerikani) are Americans who have full or partial Romani ancestry. It is estimated that there are one million Romani people in the United States. Though the Romani population in the United States has largely assimilated into American society, the largest concentrations are in Southern California, the Pacific Northwest, Southwestern United States, Texas, Louisiana, Florida and the Northeast as well as in cities such as Chicago and St. Louis.[1][2]
Not to be confused with Romanian Americans.
The Romani or Roma are a nomadic ethnic group, commonly known as Gypsies, who have been in the Americas since the first Romani people reportedly arrived on Christopher Columbus’ third voyage in 1498.[3][4] The largest wave of Romani immigrants came from the Balkans, Transylvania, Wallachia and Moldavia region in the late 19th century following the abolition of slavery in Romania in 1864.[5][6] Romani immigration to the United States has continued at a steady rate ever since, with an increase of Romani immigration occurring in the late 20th century following the Porajmos in Nazi Germany and its occupied European territories and then the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe.[1]
The size of the Romani American population and the absence of a historical and cultural presence, such as the Romani have in Europe, make Americans largely unaware of the existence of the Romani as a people.[1] The term's lack of significance within the United States prevents many Romani from using the term around non-Romani: identifying themselves by nationality rather than heritage.[7] It seems that the United States lacks the structures and stories for Romani people to own as their heritage, something that would make their identity more visible as an individual group.[8]
There has been an increased consciousness of the existence of Romanies as an American people after the Cold War, but there remains a sense of mythology around the group.[4] An announcement made on New York television station WABC referred to Romani people as 'real live Gypsies', suggesting a question mark on their existence.[7]
Most Romani Americans live in the United States's biggest cities, where the greatest economic opportunities exist. Romani Americans practice many different religions, usually based on the version of Christianity common in their country of origin, but fundamentalist Christian denominations have been growing in popularity among them.[9]
Romani Americans can mostly be found in large cities such as Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and Atlanta. They can also be found in rural areas.[10]
Romani Americans might sell used cars and trailers, fortune telling, black top driveways and do roofing to earn money.[11]
The Roma live in populous cities such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle and Portland as well as in rural areas in Texas and Arkansas.[12] The Roma can also be found in Las Vegas and Miami.[13]
Culture[edit]
Romani Americans eat sarma (stuffed cabbage), gushvada (cheese strudel), and a ritually sacrificed animal (often a lamb).[46]
A dish eaten for feasts and everyday use by American Roma is pirogo.[47]
There has been reality shows about Romani Americans such as American Gypsies and My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding on TLC.[48]