When I stepped off the bus in Bosnia & Herzegovina, I was bombarded by young children who were barefoot, dressed in rags, covered in dirt, and smelled as if they had not bathed in days. They followed us around asking for money and pulling at our bags and belongings. They stared at us, yelled at us, and laughed about us. They stirred something in our souls that made us uneasy, but also made us hurt.
It was my first encounter with the Roma people of Europe. From there, I learned more about who people think they are:
Con artists, beggars, thieves, wanderers, gypsies…
These are just some of the titles that I’ve heard people use to describe the Roma people, but my soul didn’t seem to like those titles. I wanted to know just who are they really? God told me that there’s more to their story. There’s a history and a heart of the people that the world needs to know and understand.
So here in part 1, I want to share with you what I’ve learned about their past origins and their present struggles, and in part 2, I will show you the hope of their future through Christ.
Past
- They have roots in India and were driven out when Muslims took over.
- They traveled freely around the continent of Europe during the time when there were no border restrictions between countries.
- They loved this freedom to not be tied down in one place.
- They were always on the road traveling from place to place and country to country.
- They didn’t want or have houses or furniture.
- Their prized belongings were gold, really good horses, and very expensive materials to make Roma clothing.
- They had big celebrations with lots of music and dancing.
- The man was the head of the household and women were expected to honor the men.
- Girls married at early ages of 15-16 in order to prevent bringing shame on the family with promiscuity and partying.
- When they were forced to stop the traveling between countries, groups settled down all over Europe, but it was hard to break free of the old ways.
- Many of the traditions still remained among the people and their past
- impermanence led to present struggles within the countries where they settled.
- They didn’t adopt the local language but continued to speak in Roma to one another
Present
- They have settled down in countries like Spain, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Serbia, and many more.
- They don’t practice any particular religion and focus more on their own traditions and belief than any faith.
- The native peoples of these countries usually look down on the Roma as outsiders who are untrustworthy.
- Many governments do not recognize the Roma people as full citizens and/or discriminate heavily against them.
- Therefore, they do not receive much government assistance and may be denied jobs even if highly qualified.
- They have high rates of unemployment.
- Many live in extreme poverty.
- Doctors and medical workers discriminate too.
- Ambulances may not come to their villages even if people are dying.
- They form Roma communities on the edges of town and stay to themselves, being highly mistrustful of outsiders.
- Some are illiterate.
- Illiterate parents cannot help their children with school work and may not have proper clothes or supplies for their children.
- So some will not send their children to school.
- Others will not utilize medical facilities or get medicine because they want to avoid discrimination.
- Tuberculosis (TB) is becoming a major issue in the Roma community because of hunger, cold, and self-reliance, and mistrust of doctors.
- If they show symptoms of TB, they still may not get treatment because of lack of money. Then it becomes terminal.
These factors are only a few that have placed this group of people into a cycle of poverty and isolation. All over Europe they are treated as outcasts and overlooked.
During my month in Ukraine, God used a Roma couple to open my heart to their need and promise for a glorious future. Click here to read the story of Darina and Edik, Roma people redeemed by God.
