Orientalism in Romani studies : the case of Eastern Europe

Abstract

The article offers an critical analysis of the current state of the academic approaches in the field of Romani studies through prism of Orientalist approach not only toward research subject but also towards Romani scholars from Roma and Non-Roma origin. The article presents different approaches and methodological problems that appear in the study of Roma who live in Eastern Europe, or of Eastern European Origin. Two basic paradigms of Romani studies and in social practice and politics are discussed – their exoticization and their marginalisation, which can take on features of one or both of these two paradigms. On this backdrop the issues of academic ethic in Romani studies is raised. The emergence of NGO-science and native science as specific reflection of the two basic paradigms are discussed as well.