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The Ruska Roma (russian: Руска́ Рома́), also known as Russian Gypsies (russian: Русские цыгане) or ''Xaladitka Roma'' (russian: Халадытка Рома, translit=Khaladytka Roma, ''i.e.'' "Roma-Soldiers"), are the largest subgroup of
Romani people The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sig ...
in Russia and Belarus. Initially known as ''Ruska Roma'', they live mostly in Russia and
Belarus Belarus,, , ; alternatively and formerly known as Byelorussia (from Russian ). officially the Republic of Belarus,; rus, Республика Беларусь, Respublika Belarus. is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by R ...
, but also in Eastern and Central
Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
, the United States, France, and Canada. Formed in the Northwestern part of the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
from
Polska Roma Polska Roma are the largest and one of the oldest ethnolinguistic sub group of Romani people living in Poland. Some Polska Roma also live in North America, Switzerland, Sweden, Great Britain and countries of the European Union. The term "Polsk ...
who immigrated to the country in the 18th century. Ruska Roma are divided into territorial subgroups, the name of which comes from the name of the locality. For example: Pskovska Roma (from Pskov), Smolyaki (from
Smolensk Smolensk ( rus, Смоленск, p=smɐˈlʲensk, a=smolensk_ru.ogg) is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, west-southwest of Moscow. First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest ...
), Siberyaki ( Siberian), Zabaykaltsi ( Transbaikalian), Bobri (beavers). Ruska Roma are related to Belaruska Roma, they have a common origin and were traditionally called ''Xaladitka Roma''. The Ruska Romani language contains some
Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...
,
Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...
, and
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...
words, as well as a small amount of Russian and Ukrainian grammar. Most Ruska Roma are
Orthodox Christians Orthodoxy (from Greek: ) is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion. Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils in Antiquity, but different Churc ...
.


Ruska Roma in Russian history

Judging by the language of Russian Roma, their ancestors spent some time in Germany and Poland before coming to the East Slavic territories. The existing sources start mentioning Roma population on the territory of Russia from the beginning of the 18th century. For instance, the Scottish traveler John Bell writes about Roma people coming from Poland, sent away from the Tobolsk region in 1721. Soon after their arrival in Russia, ancestors of Russian Roma became involved in entertainment, playing and singing at large celebrations. During the 19th century, Russian Roma living in large cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg started creating Romani choirs, which soon became very popular among the Russian urban population. Nomadic Russian Roma were engaged in horse dealing and fortune telling. A drastic change in the life of nomadic Russian Roma took place in 1956 when a special decree issued by the Soviet government banned Roma from leading a nomadic life. Russian Roma had to start living in houses permanently, although they are still more mobile than non-Roma population and can easily change their place of residence. Nowadays Russian Roma often live dispersed, but they do tend to look for a house or flat in the area where other Roma are also present. Russian Roma prefer to live in private houses, but it is not uncommon for a Russian Romani family to live in a flat.


Notable Ruska Roma

*
Nikolai Shishkin Nikolai Shishkin (Kursk, 1845-1911) was a Ruska Roma guitarist and singer in the Sokolovsky gypsy choir, Sokolovsky Gypsy choir (Соколовский хор). After the death of choir leader Grigory Sokolov Shishkin he led the choir and inherite ...
, Russian theatre personality * Valentina Ponomaryova, singer, theatre actor *
Timofey Prokofiev Timofey Ilyich Prokofiev (russian: Тимофей Ильич Прокофьев; 2 February 1913 – March 1944) was a Soviet marine of the Black Sea Fleet during World War II. He was posthumously awarded title Hero of the Soviet Union for hi ...
, marine infantryman,
Hero of the Soviet Union The title Hero of the Soviet Union (russian: Герой Советского Союза, translit=Geroy Sovietskogo Soyuza) was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded together with the Order of Lenin personally or collectively for ...


See also

*
Kalderash The Kalderash are a subgroup of the Romani people. They were traditionally coppersmiths and metal workers and speak a number of Romani dialects grouped together under the term Kalderash Romani, a sub-group of Vlax Romani. The Kalderash of the ...
*
Lovari Lovari ("horse-dealer", from Hungarian "ló", ''horse'') is a subgroup of the Romani people, who speak their own dialect, influenced by Hungarian and West Slavic dialects. They live predominantly throughout Central Europe (Hungary, Poland, Sl ...
* Servitka Roma


References


External links


Russian Roma. Factsheets on Romani culture

The Kolpakov Trio Brings The Roma Renaissance



Roma - Minority Rights Group
{{Authority control Roma (Romani subgroup) Romani groups Romani in Russia Romani in Ukraine Ethnic groups in Ukraine Ethnic groups in Russia Ethnic groups in Belarus