Roma 101: Roma Identity, History and Historiography by Dr. Adrian Marsh

Dr. Adrian Marsh's lecture is the first lecture of a course "Introduction to Roma Cultural History," which is first course of the Barvalipe Roma Online University.
Lecture Abstract:
The history of Romani identity is a complex and contested history, filled with uncertainties of identification, myths, untruths and dubious assertions (usually by other, non-Romani writers). What do we mean by Romani identity? When does Romani identity coalesce, come into being?What are the components of Romani identity? What do they add up to?
Romani history is, like all history, the piecing together of the evidence (usually documentary and written), from a myriad of empires, kingdoms and states for whom Romani people were not the main concern. How has this influenced the writing of Romani history by others? How have Romani historians of Romani history addressed the process? What has been the impact of new trends in history writing, the cultural and linguistic 'turns', post-modernism and the revival of narrative, had upon the writing of Romani history?
What is Romani ‘historiography’? How has the history of Romani and Traveller groups been written and by whom? Who and what is included or excluded in the writing of Romani historiography?
Guided by these questions, this lecture introduces the topics of identity, ethnicity, history, and historiography through the 'window' of a key location in the history of Romani populations, as pathways into the wider debates and discussions that continue to surround them.
Find more information about the Barvalipe Roma Online University and the coming lectures here: eriac.org/barv...