Kalderash

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The Kalderash are a subgroup of the Romani people. They were traditionally coppersmiths and metal workers and speak a number of Romani dialects grouped together under the term Kalderash Romani, a sub-group of Vlax Romani.[1][2]

The three main confederations of Romani people in Europe, Kalderash (yellow), Sinti/Manush (blue), Gitanos (red), as well as the Dom people of the Middle East (green)

The Kalderash of the Balkans and Central Europe, in addition to the Gitanos and Manouche/Sinti, are seen as one of the three main confederations (Romani: natsiya) of Romani people in Europe by certain ethnographers. The Kalderash are recognized as the most numerous confederation of the three. Each main confederation is further split up into two or more subgroups (Romani: vitsa) based on a combination of factors such as occupation, ancestry, or territorial origin.[3][4] Although originally referring to a specific vitsa of traditional coppersmiths, the name Kalderash is now applied to several Vlax-Speaking Roma groups. Because of this, significant differences in speech and culture can be seen in Western and Eastern Kalderash populations; as evidenced in the differences between the eastern Kalderash of Russia and the western Kalderash of Serbia.[2][5] Certain scholars have suggested a connection between occupational Romani subgroups and the Caste System of India; with the Kalderash being described as an ancestral stock of the Lohar caste.[6][7]

  1. ^ Hübschmannová, Milena (2003). "Roma – Sub Ethnic Groups". Rombase. Austria: Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz[University of Graz]. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Hancock, Ian (1997). "A glossary of Romani terms" (PDF). The American Journal of Comparative Law. 45 (2). Oxford University Press: 335. doi:10.2307/840853. JSTOR 840853.
  3. ^ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (May 6, 2021). "Kalderash: Roma Confederation". Roma. Encyclopedia Britannica.
  4. ^ Damodar P. Singhal (1982). Gypsies, Indians in Exile. India: Archana Publications/Folklore Institute (U.S.). ASIN B005KDK3IG. The genealogy of the Gypsies is highly complex, but they are divided into three principal tribal groups– the Kalderash, the Gitanos, and the Manush(also called the Sinti).
  5. ^ Lee, Ronald (2001). "Social organization and Rom identity". In Walter O. Weyrauch (ed.). Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture. University of California Press. pp. 197–201. ISBN 9780520221864.
  6. ^ Roger C. Moreau (2002). The Rom: Walking in the Paths of the Gypsies. Canada: Key Porter Books. p. 108. ISBN 9781552634233.
  7. ^ Alexander Varty (July 13, 2011). "Nomadic Caravan's folklore project brings communities closer". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved August 2, 2021. The Rais cite surprising similarities between the metalworking Kalderash of Greece and Italy and their Gadia Lohar counterparts at home.