Romani people in Poland

Romani people in Poland
Romowie w Polsce
Total population
Approx. 50,000 (2011, census, Indo-Aryan origins) Indo-Aryan origins (including those of ancestral descent)
Regions with significant populations
Małopolskie, Dolnośląskie, Mazowieckie, Warsaw, Poznań, Wrocław, Łódź, Kraków, Mielec, Puławy and Nowa Dęba regions.
Languages
Baltic Romani, Polish, Kashubian, German
Religion
Majority Roman Catholicism
Related ethnic groups
Romani people in Belarus, Romani people in the Czech Republic, Romani people in Germany, Romani people in Hungary, Romani people in Lithuania, Romani people in Slovakia
Part of a series on
Romani people
Flag of the Romani people
Romani people by sub-group
Romani diaspora by country
Diagram of Roma migration to Europe

The Romani people in Poland (Polish: Romowie w Polsce) are an ethnic minority group of Indo-Aryan origins in Poland.[1] The Council of Europe regards the endonym "Roma" as more appropriate when referencing the people, and "Romani" when referencing cultural characteristics.[2] The term Cyganie (IPA: [t͡sɘˈɡaɲɛ]) is considered an exonym in Poland.[3]

Major Roma subgroups in Poland include: the Polska (Polska Roma), Kalderash, Lovari and Bergitka Roma;[4] the Polska Roma are the largest subgroup.[2]

The recorded history of the Romani people in Poland dates to the 15th century. As per historical linguistic evidence, the Roma likely arrived in present-day Poland between 1400 and 1500.[5] Further evidence exhibits the Roma's persecution during the Holocaust,[6] and subsequent alienation during the communist era in Poland.[7] The post-communist era brought about societal and economic developments for the Roma.[8] The Romani language is composed of several dialects, influenced by Slavic languages.[9] Rituals followed, such as the "Romani Caravan of Memory", pertain to the Roma's history in Poland.[10] There is also a significant local adherence to a culturally influenced Roman Catholicism.[11]

Compiled evidence shows that the Roma experience difficulties and successes in acquiring quality housing in Poland.[12] Roma children are also reported to be enrolled in school, with some requiring ‘special-needs’ assistance.[13] Roma continue to experience tensions such as high unemployment rates,[12] forced evictions, violence and societal ostracisation.[12]

  1. ^ Świętek, Agnieszka (2019). "Romani women and their significance for the education of the Romani minority in Poland". Hungarian Educational Research Journal. 9. doi:10.1080/01924036.2013.813398. S2CID 154862934. Retrieved 10 April 2021 – via AKJournals.
  2. ^ a b Celinska, Katarzyna (2014). "The Polish Roma: From a persecuted to a protected minority". International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice. 38 (2): 157–171. doi:10.1080/01924036.2013.813398. S2CID 154862934 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
  3. ^ Świętek, Agnieszka (2019). "Romani women and their significance for the education of the Romani minority in Poland". Hungarian Educational Research Journal. 9 – via AKJournals.
  4. ^ Michna, Ewa (29 April 2020). Identity Strategies of Stateless Ethnic Minority Groups in Contemporary Poland. Springer Nature. ISBN 9783030415754 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Meyer, Anna-Maria (2020). "The Impact of Slavic Languages on Romani". The Palgrave Handbook of Romani Language and Linguistics. pp. 261–301. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-28105-2_9. ISBN 978-3-030-28104-5. S2CID 213899402.
  6. ^ Hancock, Ian (2004). Romanies and the Holocaust: A Re-evaluation and Overview. London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 383–396.
  7. ^ Puckett, Lisa (2005). "Barriers to access: Social services and the Roma of Poland". International Social Work. 48: 621–631. doi:10.1177/0020872805055327. S2CID 143657527 – via SAGE Journals.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference refworld_49749cc828 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Matras, Yaron (2020). The Palgrave Handbook of Romani Language and Linguistics. London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 261–301.
  10. ^ Kapralski, Slawomir (2005). "Ritual of memory in constructing the modern identity of Eastern European Romanies". In Nicholas Saul; Susan Tebbutt (eds.). The role of the Romanies: Images and counter-images of 'Gypsies'/Romanies in European cultures. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. pp. 208–225. ISBN 9780853236894.
  11. ^ Niedźwiecka, Dorota. "Wiara po romsku".
  12. ^ a b c "Poland: Situation and treatment of Roma, including employment, housing, health, and education; state protection (2009-2012)". Refworld. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  13. ^ Fagasinski, M. (2012). ENAR Shadow Report. Racism and Related Discriminatory Practices in Poland.. European Network Against Racism.