Romani people in Morocco

Last updated
Romani people in Morocco
Total population
≈ 12 000
Regions with significant populations
Tétouan
Languages
Domari, Spanish, Moroccan Arabic
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Dom people, Gitanos , Nawar people

Some reports suggest the existence of Romani people in Morocco. Thomas (2000) [1] states that "Xoraxane have been reported in Morocco. It is suspected that Kalo (or Calo) Gypsies from Spain have migrated to Morocco in the late 1900s. Similarly, it may be true that French speaking Gypsies or Manouche may have in the past or still today traveled and worked in Morocco but there is no evidence of this at the moment." Phillips (2001) mentions rather speculatively that "Some Kali or Gitan are in Morocco." [2] The available reports are not sufficiently precise to confirm the Romani identity or even existence of such groups, but if they exist and are of Romani origin, then they would have immigrated to the territory of the present day Morocco ultimately from South Asia, and proximately from Spain and/or Algeria. [3] In Tétouan, there is a Romani quarter for Roma who have migrated from Spain. [4]

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References

  1. "The Dom of North Africa: An Overview". Archived from the original on 2020-04-07. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
  2. Peoples on the Move: Introducing the Nomads of the World. By David J. Phillips
  3. Berland, Joseph C. (2004). Customary Strangers: New Perspectives on Peripatetic Peoples in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers. ISBN   0-89789-771-4 . Retrieved 2013-10-28.
  4. Dictionary of Gypsy Life and Lore.