The ‘Gypsies’ (Dom – Lom – Rom) in southern Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)

Abstract

For many years in Romani Studies dominated the perception that modern Turkey is the only country in the world, on whose territory live representatives of the three main divisions of the so called ‘Gypsies’ (Dom – Lom – Rom). The presentation is based on our field researches in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, where live representatives of these three main divisions. We will present the baseline data on the status and conditions of the three communities (Dom/Domlar/Garachiler, Lom/Lomavtik/Bosha and Roma/Цыгане) in present-day in region of South Caucasus – estimated number of the communities, spatial distribution, mapping of the major settlements, way of life, housing, basic occupations and labour activities, ethno-cultural and ethno-social characteristics, language/dialect, etc. Special attention will be paid to the various manifestations of their identities (on community and national level), and relationships (or lack thereof) between representatives of the three ‘Gypsy’ divisions.