Our God is Gold: Vlashika Rom at a Crossroads

Abstract

Author of this article aims to approach the issue of the sociocultural dynamics in the changings of the Vlashika Rom group in the Czech and Slovak Republics and contemplates the prospective of development of this Roma subculture. For better understanding of the ways Vlashika Rom protecting their integrity and a better understanding of adaptation strategies they use, the author outlines the genesis of this sub-ethnic groups and some historical peripeties formed this sub-ethnic group. Author outlines the basic division Vlashika Roma into subgroups for which identifies unlike previous descriptions of three different levels in creating social boundaries within this community. Besides the description of the way of life of this group in historical perspective we pay attention to mutual relations Vlashika Roma and the dominant society. These relationships, often antagonistic, depend on just the way of life and it is significantly determined by means of livelihood. These relationships, often antagonistic, depend on just the way of life and it is significantly determined by means of livelihood. The author analyzes an internal sources from which culture Vlashika Rom drawes on. The author based on his own experience and ideas from literature wonders to what extent can this anachronistic, but also very adaptable culture to resist assimilation pressures emanating from the very essence of the modern nation-state.