Romani, Balkan, Zargari in Bulgaria





Largest Religion

Main Language


Introduction / History

The Balkan Gypsies are also known as the Balkan Romani. They are located in parts of Eastern Europe including Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, and the Ukraine. There is even a significant community in China. Gypsies are the largest stateless people group that exist. Many times, the population count of Gypsies are inaccurate due to their nomadic lifestyle. Others do not possess identity cards because they fear discrimination or persecution.

Gypsies call themselves Rom, which in their language means "men." Rom is derived from the Indian word Dom, meaning "a man of low caste who gains his livelihood by singing and dancing." The Romani language, therefore, comes from the name the Gypsies call themselves.

Gypsies have their roots in India. They began spreading westward in the tenth century. By the fourteenth century, large Gypsy groups were established in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria. Some continued to live as nomads; others settled in permanent dwellings. Regardless of where they lived, though, to non-gypsies, they remained mysterious and distinct. Curiosity about them eventually led to hatred and discrimination. In the twentieth century, many Gypsies were killed by Nazis. Today, they are still discriminated against.

What Are Their Lives Like?

People often assume that all Gypsies have dark hair, complexion, and eyes; however, Balkan Gypsies sometimes have lighter skin and even blond hair and blue eyes. This is probably because their ancestors mixed with Europeans. Unlike the Gypsies who have remained in India, many of the Balkan Gypsies have become settled. They often live in villages or near towns and cities. Some still travel, though, by caravans of cars, trucks, and trailers.

In the past, Gypsies were not allowed to own land, so they began developing unique occupations which they still do today. These included such things as fortune-telling, horse trading, market vending, entertaining, acrobatics, and metal and wood working. They are especially known for their musical abilities and dancing. Many sing and play instruments at weddings, baptisms, and festivals. Unfortunately, they are also known as beggars and thieves. Petty theft (usually by children), begging, and black market peddling sometimes provide families with income. This reputation has caused much discrimination against them. In many countries, they are last in line for jobs. Some of the women work as domestic helpers, but are paid very low wages and given no health benefits. Many have insufficient housing and unsatisfactory medical attention.

Values such as justice, fidelity, and morality are included in the Gypsy code of ethics. The chief loyalty of a Gypsy is to his family members, who are extremely important to him. Extended family members usually live together, and those who live in separate homes often telephone or make daily visits to each other.

Marriages are sometimes arranged by the parents, and young couples usually marry while in their mid to late teens. Often, they prefer to elope rather than to have a wedding ceremony. Purity before marriage is something of great value to them.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Many Gypsies have maintained their religious traditions and beliefs. They believe that ghosts, lizards, and snakes are capable of harming humans. They believe that men have the power to curse others by giving them the "evil eye." They also believe that some men have the power to heal the sick.

What Are Their Needs?

Although they may be more sanitary, more educated, and have more opportunities than gypsies in the Middle East and India, they all have one thing in common: the need for Jesus. Prayer and evangelism efforts are needed in order to win them to Christ.

Prayer Points

* Ask the Lord to raise up people who are willing to share Christ with they Gypsies.

People Name General Romani, Balkan
People Name in Country Romani, Balkan, Zargari
Population in Bulgaria 96,000
World Population 1,319,000
Countries 22
Progress Scale 3.1
Least-Reached No
Indigenous Yes
Alternate Names Arliski, Arliski Balkan Gypsy, Baltic Gypsy, Dzambazi, Jerides, Kochi, Koochi, Kuchi, Roma, Zargari
Affinity Bloc Eurasian Peoples
People Cluster Romany
People Name General Romani, Balkan
Ethnic Code CNN25f
People ID 14570
Country Bulgaria
Region Eastern Europe and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sofia to the Black Sea (Central dialect). Tinsmiths dialect is in central and northwest Bulgaria; Arlija in Sofia region.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Romani, Balkan: Zargari (96,000)
Romani, Balkan: Zargari 96,000

For Main Lanugage: Romani, Balkan

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible Portions Yes   (1912-1937)
New Testament Yes   (2008)
Complete Bible No
Format Resource
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching (GRN)
Film / Video God's Story Video
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Romani, Balkan
Film / Video Magdalena (Jesus Film Project)
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project)
Primary Religion: Christianity
Religion Subdivision: Orthodox

Major Religion Percent
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.46 %)
65.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
0.00 %
25.00 %
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
0.00 %

Christian Segments Percent
0.0 %
6.0 %
93.0 %
Other Christian
0.0 %
1.0 %
Roman Catholic
0.0 %
Photo Source: Anonymous  
Map Source: Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source: GAAPNet: Updated original Bethany people profile 
Data Sources: Data is compiled from various sources. Read more

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