It is estimated that there are 12 million Roma in the world, although some claim that this number is only for Europe. They are found throughout all European countries, in Asia, Africa, Australia and in South and North America. They are most populated in Turkey, around five million, followed by Romania and Spain with 1,5 million each, Hungary with one million, Bulgaria with 700.000, etc.
In Macedonia, the Roma are one of the minority ethnic groups. According to the 2002 census, there are approximately 53.879 Roma living in Macedonia, or 2,66 percent of the total population. The municipality of Šuto Orizari is the only municipality in the world where the majority is Roma, and also the only municipality in the world where the Romani language is an official language, in addition to Macedonian. Macedonia is also the only country in the world where, with the 2001 Constitution, the Roma are recognized as a people.
They celebrate International Roma Day – April 8. It is celebrated in almost all places in the Republic of Macedonia. Since 2007, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has adopted April 8 as a public holiday and non-working day for Roma in Macedonia.
There are a large number of famous and recognized Roma in the field of song, music performance, dance and other branches of culture. Some of the famous and recognized performers of Roma song and music in Macedonia, the Balkans and the world are, of course, Esma Redzepova and the "Teodosievski" Ensemble.
According to the illustrated monographic work "55 Years of Esma with Her Song" by the author Slave Katin, published in 2015, on 410 pages, published by the Publishing House "Makedonska Iskra" and the association "Queen Esma and Stevo Teodosievski" from Skopje, and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia, it is in Macedonian, English and Romani.
The monograph is dedicated to the ambassador of the Roma song and Macedonian musical conqueror of all meridians. A name known and recognized, respected and respected in music. The truth about Esma Redzepova - Teodosievska is an unusual, interesting and very beautiful story, which is ennobled in this monograph and with the author's imagination, knowledge and skill, Esma is presented as an example for the affirmation of the Macedonian and Roma song and for the Republic of Macedonia.
The Roma have a special place in the Monograph. It is noted that in Macedonia and in the world on April 8, International Roma Day is celebrated. This is in honor of the people who have Indo-European origins from the Punjab region, who have no homeland and are displaced all over the world. On this date in 1971, the First Roma Congress began in London and lasted until April 11. On that occasion, the United Nations Organization declared this significant day as World Roma Day.
It should be emphasized that the International Roma Day, April 8, is celebrated almost in all places in our country. The Roma are mainly settled in cities and as many as 95 percent of the Macedonian Roma live in urban areas. In 2007, following a proposal-amendment by the then Roma MP, MA Shaban Saliu, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia adopted April 8 as a public holiday and non-working day.
Roma Day in Macedonia.
Esma Rezepova-Teodosievska
The first settlements of Roma on the territory of Macedonia were recorded in the 14th century. Their main settlement was during the Turkish conquests of Macedonia in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, when they worked as servants for Turkish generals and nobles.
There is a theory that Roma have also settled in Macedonia since the time of Alexander the Great, as they worked as blacksmiths for his army during the conquest of Egypt. This theory is advocated by some of the Roma who call themselves Egyptians or Egypci and consider themselves a separate ethnic group from the Roma and who mainly live in Ohrid, Struga and Resen.
By religion, the majority of Roma are Muslim, but there is also a small number of Roma with Christian and other religions. Roma with Christian religion are known as Masarmangi or Masrmangovci and live in several cities in eastern and southeastern Macedonia. Also, a small number belong to the Bektashi sect and other Protestant churches.
When talking about Roma music in Macedonia, however, one always associates Esma Redzepova and the Teodosievski Ensemble. They are performers and affirmers, above all, of Roma, but at the same time also of Macedonian song and music, or of the common musical folklore.
Otherwise, Roma folk songs and music are passed down from generation to generation through oral traditions. In Macedonia, there are a large number of folk songs and dances that reflect the life, work and customs of the people who live there. Much of this music has its own characteristic national features.
When talking about the Macedonian folk music, it should be emphasized that it represents a synthesis of what the Macedonian people carried from the distant times, from what they inherited in their present-day homeland and from the wider environment. That is why ancient, Roman and other elements are found in it, such as, for example, the rusalii in Gevgelisk, then the Byzantine influence on spiritual music, the oriental ensembles of chalgadzi and zurli, Western European influences on Old Town songs and more.
According to the content and choreography, Macedonian folk games and songs can be ritual or secular. From the ritual games, we will list: the Dodol games, the Koledar games, the Rusal games, etc. The secular games include those related to the life and work of the Macedonian people, such as: combat, wedding, harvest, humorous, love, etc. In different parts of ethnic Macedonia, they have different names, depending on the place and the way of performance.
Chalgieta is a typical "old city music", which has been cultivated for a long time in many cities, especially in Veles, Ohrid, Bitola and Thessaloniki, and carries with it strong oriental influences, as can be seen from the performance style. However, over time, Macedonian chalgia acquired a specific tonal dialect and expression. Chalgies are played at weddings, religious holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.), rituals, fairs, etc.
Romani music, on the other hand, for which the offensive term "Gypsy music" is often used, is the music of the Romani people, who originated in the areas of northern India, and today live mainly in European areas. Due to their nomadic way of life, it is different and has different influences. For these reasons, in almost all areas where Roma live, their music is acceptable to the masses and is very popular.
As a result of the long travels of these "wanderers around the world", as the Roma are often called, Roma music has received various influences, such as: Indian, Macedonian, Arabic, Hellenic, Persian, Turkish, Czech, Russian, Slovak, Romanian, German, Danish, French, Spanish and other influences.
The instrumental following of Roma music differs from region to region in which the respective Roma community lives. The influence of Romani music in Eastern Europe, especially in Romania, the former Yugoslav areas in Spain and elsewhere, is large and visible.
Another feature that unites much of Romani music is dance – the game. Elements of the game often have a strong influence on countries in Eastern Europe. According to the differences in dance, language dialect, music and performance, there are many Romani performers of Romani song and music who find similar elements with other Romani groups, regardless of the time of their existence.
The Roma in Skopje
Today's Roma song and music in Macedonia is specific and typical for the Roma in these regions. Thus, the songs and language in which the Queen of Roma music Esma Redzepova-Teodosievska performed them have their own unique elements for the Roma in Skopje and the surrounding areas. Therefore, her performance aroused interest not only among the Roma in Macedonia and the Balkans, but also among the Roma and all peoples around the world.
According to the European Roma Council, Roma have contributed greatly to European culture. For example, composers Liszt, Brahms and Verdi were influenced by Roma music and flamenco was inspired by Roma dance, including Charlie Chaplin and Yul Brynner, who claimed to be of Roma origin.
However, the sad reality is that most of the ten million Roma in Europe still live in segregation and severe poverty. Despite European programs to help Roma integrate into society, progress has been slow. Roma face discrimination in the media, in politics and in the workplace.
Roma still live in ghettos, and their children attend segregated schools. Municipal services for housing, education, and health care are often not used by them. Resistance and prejudice against Roma from parts of the population are part of the difficulties that Roma face.
The Roma people in the world have their own anthem, which is a favorite of all performers of the Roma song, especially Esma Redzepova-Teodosievska. It is the song Dzhelem, dzhelem. This song, which is often used as the anthem of the Roma people, was composed by Žarko Jovanović. The title has been adapted in many countries by the local Roma people, in order to match their native language and spelling and dialect of the Roma language. It was first performed at the First World Roma Congress held in 1971 in London. The Roma people in the world also have their own flag.
It says: SLAVE KATIN
