Romani individuality? Ethnographic examples of distinctive social action within a local Czech Romani population

Beranek, Natasha (2014) Romani individuality? Ethnographic examples of distinctive social action within a local Czech Romani population. Acta Ethnographica Hungarica, 59 (1). pp. 113-163. ISSN 1216-9803

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Abstract

This paper explores how members of a Romani population in a small Czech town perform individualistic actions that distinguish them from other persons in their families and social circles. After an overview of how these informants achieve cultural compromises in their daily lives that serve to reinforce their agency as mothers in the private sphere, I will present different narrative portions from their life histories that highlight possible examples of individuality — social actions that lead to personal rather than categorical distinctiveness. This paper considers if the experience of individuality is compatible with one’s identification as a Rom and what kind of local contextual factors and macro-level discourses inhibit or favor individualistic action and expression. These questions are examined in conjunction with writings and debates that pertain to Czech(oslovak) Romani sociality and culture. This essay also draws on discussions of individuality from the fields of anthropology, sociology, social psychology and the political sciences.

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