Original scientific paper
THE ROMANIES IN AN INTERCULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
Neven Hrvatić
; Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb
Abstract
The Romanies in Croatia have formed a historical autochthonous
minority thanks to their transnational identity since the beginning
of their settlements (Dubrovnik, 1362). A specific tribal system
(family, vitcha-enlarged family, big vitcha-family association,
tribe) and economic development have caused dispersion, specialization
and partly the loss of national identity. The research
project "Genealogy and Transfer of the Intercultural Model" through
its empiric research on the stratified sample of secondaryschool
students directed attention to the existing sterotypes towards
the Romanies. Furthermore, a low acceptance level of the
elements of the Romany culture (language, art, history, customs)
as well as a high level of social distance towards the Romanies
(modified Bogardus scale) has been found. The results show the
need for intercultural education for all pupils in Croatia. Projects
and experimental realization of the Summer School for Romany children
in Croatia and the Romany Educational Community are innovative
forms in the education of Romany children - together
with the edition of Romany bulletin Romano akharipe - the Voice
of Romanies and Nevo drom - the New Way - they are the first
steps towards a conceptualization of the Croatian educational model
for the Romanies. The establishment of an education system
plays an important role in the formation and structuring of the Romany
national community within the intercultural environment in
Croatia.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
31791
URI
Publication date:
1.9.1996.
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