Original scientific paper
Roma in Pitomača: between ethnomimicry and preservation of Roma identity
Dragutin Babić
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Filip Škiljan
orcid.org/0000-0001-7979-1359
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This paper presents analysis of the interviews carried out in Pitomača with the members of the Roma ethnic community. Specificity of Roma in Pitomača is primarily their significant reduction in number in the last couple of decades. Whilst other destinations in Croatia inhabited by Roma population mark the increase of this ethnic community, especially according to the last census from 2011, this is not the case in Pitomača. The reason for the increase of Roma in Croatia lies in the above-average birth rate and increased freedom of declaration of ethnic belonging with the elapsed time since the war confrontations. The objective of the interviews was to find out from the members of the Roma population themselves why the situation in Pitomača is different, to which extent is ethnomimicry present in the longer time period and how Roma identity is preserved in this settlement of Virovitica-Podravina County. For that purpose we interviewed five (5) members of the Roma ethnic minorities and the interviews lasted some forty minutes. Roma in Pitomača are members of the two groups called Kolompari and Šijaki, and there is a certain level of animosity between them manifested in the social construction of inner Roma stereotypes and prejudice. Life standard of Roma in Pitomača can be considered well above average for this particular ethnic group, which among other reasons contributes to flight of this population from their Roma identity. Although accommodated in their own houses, they have kept the nomadic life style, which corresponds with their occupation (trade, collection of secondary raw material). Some of the members of this population enter public life in the town and county, along with all the difficulties that usually accompany members of national minorities, and especially the members of Roma national minority. The interviews emphasize the problems that emerge from the stereotypes and prejudice about them, resulting in stigmatisation, as well as discrimination of members of this ethnic community. Integration of Roma to Croatian society, especially by means of entering the sphere of education and work, imposes itself as a long-lasting and considerably demanding action for all stakeholders, from the Croatian state and all levels of society to the Roma people themselves, and in Pitomača this process made a greater level of progress in comparison with other Roma destinations in Croatia.
Keywords
Roma; Pitomača; ethnomimicry; identity; Podravina
Hrčak ID:
223349
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2019.
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