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The [[Domari language|Domari-speaking]] (or rather, historically speaking) community in Syria, commonly identified as '''[[Dom people|Dom]]''' and '''[[Nawar (people)|Nawar]]''' (and simply "gypsies" in English), is estimated to number 100–250,000{{sfn|Berland|Rao|2004|p=73}} or 250–300,000 people.{{sfn|Williams|2001}} The vast majority is sedentary.{{sfn|Berland|Rao|2004|p=73}} There are semi-nomadic groups, some moving outside the country.{{sfn|Williams|2001}} In Aleppo, the Dom community is probably the largest, while they are reported to live in Damascus, Homs and Latakeh as well.{{sfn|Herin|2012}} The community is highly marginalised in society, and they are referred to as ''Qurbāṭ'' from '''[[Ghorbati]]''' (''ʾərbāṭ'' in Aleppo) and ''Qarač'' in the northern part, and ''Nawar'' (widely used in the Levant) elsewhere.{{sfn|Herin|2012}} These terms are used for various groups that mainly share socio-economic profile.{{sfn|Herin|2012}} The community is divided into clans.{{sfn|Herin|2012}}
The [[Domari language|Domari-speaking]] (or rather, historically speaking) community in Syria, commonly identified as '''[[Dom people|Dom]]''' and '''[[Nawar (people)|Nawar]]''' (and simply "gypsies" in English), is estimated to number 100–250,000{{sfn|Berland|Rao|2004|p=73}} or 250–300,000 people.{{sfn|Williams|2001}} The vast majority is sedentary.{{sfn|Berland|Rao|2004|p=73}} There are semi-nomadic groups, some moving outside the country.{{sfn|Williams|2001}} In Aleppo, the Dom community is probably the largest, while they are reported to live in Damascus, Homs and Latakeh as well.{{sfn|Herin|2012}} The community is highly marginalised in society, and they are referred to as ''Qurbāṭ'' from '''[[Ghorbati]]''' (''ʾərbāṭ'' in Aleppo) and ''Qarač'' in the northern part, and ''Nawar'' (widely used in the Levant) elsewhere.{{sfn|Herin|2012}} These terms are used for various groups that mainly share socio-economic profile.{{sfn|Herin|2012}} The community is divided into clans.{{sfn|Herin|2012}}


==Background==
The Domari are believed to have migrated from [[India]] via Persia. They seem to have been an [[Indian people|Indian]] nomadic [[Caste system in India|caste]] specializing in metalwork and entertainment.{{sfn|Matras|2012|p=1}} The language is Indo-Aryan, closely related to [[Central Zone (Hindi)|Central Indian]] and [[Northwestern_Indo-Aryan_languages|Northwest Indian]].{{sfn|Matras|2012|p=1}} The Dom language (''Domari'') in the Middle East is known as ''Nawari''.{{sfn|Law|2014|pp=138–139}} Domari shows Turkic, Kurdish and Arabic influence.{{sfn|Law|2014|pp=138–139}} There has been a [[language shift]] into Arabic.
The Domari are believed to have migrated from [[India]] via Persia. They seem to have been an [[Indian people|Indian]] nomadic [[Caste system in India|caste]] specializing in metalwork and entertainment.{{sfn|Matras|2012|p=1}} The language is Indo-Aryan, closely related to [[Central Zone (Hindi)|Central Indian]] and [[Northwestern_Indo-Aryan_languages|Northwest Indian]].{{sfn|Matras|2012|p=1}} The Dom language (''Domari'') in the Middle East is known as ''Nawari''.{{sfn|Law|2014|pp=138–139}} Domari shows Turkic, Kurdish and Arabic influence.{{sfn|Law|2014|pp=138–139}} There has been a [[language shift]] into Arabic.


The exonym "Nawar" could be used sometimes offensively, denoting a contemptible and immoral lifestyle associating them with beggars, itinerants, and thieves.<ref>{{cite book |last=Berland |first=Joseph C. |date=2004 |title=Customary Strangers: New Perspectives on Peripatetic Peoples in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CAv53wlHfoC&pg=PA71 |location=Westport, Connecticut |publisher=Praeger Publishers |isbn=0-89789-771-4 |accessdate=2013-10-28|p=71}}</ref>
The exonym "Nawar" could be used sometimes offensively, denoting a contemptible and immoral lifestyle associating them with beggars, itinerants, and thieves.<ref>{{cite book |last=Berland |first=Joseph C. |date=2004 |title=Customary Strangers: New Perspectives on Peripatetic Peoples in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CAv53wlHfoC&pg=PA71 |location=Westport, Connecticut |publisher=Praeger Publishers |isbn=0-89789-771-4 |accessdate=2013-10-28|p=71}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*{{ill|Sarya el Sawas|ar|سارية السواس}}, singer.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 23:27, 24 February 2018

Gypsies (Domari / Nawar)
in Syria
Total population
250–300,000 (est.)
Languages
Domari and Arabic
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Kawliya

The Domari-speaking (or rather, historically speaking) community in Syria, commonly identified as Dom and Nawar (and simply "gypsies" in English), is estimated to number 100–250,000[1] or 250–300,000 people.[2] The vast majority is sedentary.[1] There are semi-nomadic groups, some moving outside the country.[2] In Aleppo, the Dom community is probably the largest, while they are reported to live in Damascus, Homs and Latakeh as well.[3] The community is highly marginalised in society, and they are referred to as Qurbāṭ from Ghorbati (ʾərbāṭ in Aleppo) and Qarač in the northern part, and Nawar (widely used in the Levant) elsewhere.[3] These terms are used for various groups that mainly share socio-economic profile.[3] The community is divided into clans.[3]

Background

The Domari are believed to have migrated from India via Persia. They seem to have been an Indian nomadic caste specializing in metalwork and entertainment.[4] The language is Indo-Aryan, closely related to Central Indian and Northwest Indian.[4] The Dom language (Domari) in the Middle East is known as Nawari.[5] Domari shows Turkic, Kurdish and Arabic influence.[5] There has been a language shift into Arabic.

The exonym "Nawar" could be used sometimes offensively, denoting a contemptible and immoral lifestyle associating them with beggars, itinerants, and thieves.[6]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Berland & Rao 2004, p. 73.
  2. ^ a b Williams 2001.
  3. ^ a b c d Herin 2012.
  4. ^ a b Matras 2012, p. 1.
  5. ^ a b Law 2014, pp. 138–139.
  6. ^ Berland, Joseph C. (2004). Customary Strangers: New Perspectives on Peripatetic Peoples in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers. p. 71. ISBN 0-89789-771-4. Retrieved 2013-10-28.

Sources