Last Castle of a Roma Tradition: İncesu Broomers 25/09/2008
There is a village in Samsun in Vezirköprü. There is 250 digit in this village. The name of this village is Incesu. Mainstay of İncesu Village is broommaking. They are mading and selling broom. Most important complaints of villagers are about rising technology. They are suffering from falling demand to broom and low income. Brom is not as important as before for people. Because there are some technological instruments which could be used instead of broom in houses.This job had been commemorative from their ancestors. Dursun Doruk express that; “ He has been making broom for 10 years”. Also, he adds, “ Although, broom making is so difficult, comeback is very miscarriage”. Villagers also explain that unity of villagers is so important to support themselves from negative influences of rising technology.
Blacsmith Women 07/10/2008
Some womans are working as blacksmith to make contribution to family budget in Umutlu Village which is 30 km far from Samsun Alaçam.Villagers are underlining that there are not many immigration in the village due to the work they carry on. Some womans in Umutlu Village, a village of 50 houses in the district boundaries of Alaçam, facilitate their husbands with "forging". However some womans carry on the profession of blacksmithing besides their mother in law. Although in each house in that village you can find a blacksmith bench, some villagers gave up from continuing their professions. The villagers produces agricultural implements and also sell this materials by themselves. Ezine Uslu (56) mentioned that she works as blacksmith for 25 years, when her husband goes for selling the devices, she work together with her bride Güllü Uslu(24). She said " I learned how to weld, heating the iron, bending, to make agricultural implements like axe,dig, chopper,adze and households." She expressed that she learned this profession from her husband and teached to her dauther in law herself. Güllü Uslu remarked that she did not experience any difficulty in blacksmithing. Havva Uçan(34) also remarked that blacksmithing is easier than doing the housework.
Yenişehir Roma Cultural Association 15/10/2008
The headquarters of Yenişehir Romans Cultural Association is in İzmir. The association aims to overcome various social problems of the Roman Society and to realize social integration projects robustly. The association has played an active role in various activities organized by İzmir Cosmopolitan and Yenişehir Municipalities so far. The basic problem of the association is the provision of financial resources required for the integration projects it is designing. The association has a staff of 31 members consisting of 27 volunteers and 4 professionals. The association works in cooperation with Aegean Roman Associations Corporations and Municipalities.
Contact: rossmen_@hotmail.com
Lacho 18/10/2008
Since 3 year Little Lacho Group (Küçük Laçolar Grubu) which consist of little gypsy kids younger than 14 years old, perform in various organizations. Team members get together once a week and get music training in Mimar Sinan University. Gypsy's music passion make them a passionate musician in early ages. 5 little roman child are an example of this..They are Little Lachos.. Saffet Cicilli mentioned that "There is neither speaker nor chief in our group..We decide everything together. I want to go to conservatory in the future. Now we are learning musical notes little by little. I am playing zither since nine years old. ". They are coming from a musician family,without the knowledge of the musical notes and they are playing from memory. This talented children wants to improve their talent by going to the conservatory. Community Center which is committed to İstanbul Bilgi University and continue its work with various funds, provide a place for children and also find volunteer trainers for them and interest to their problems one by one. Even though they are young, they perform in a lot of place. Annualy they perform in Opening and Closing Festival of Bilgi University and Tarlabaşı Community Center Child Festival. In addition to that, this year they performed in Istanbul TED College, Rotary Child House and Boğaziçi University Festival. They have a dancer and soloist girl in the crew during the concerts. Barış Ürüm from Mimar Sinan University is supporting them as a volunteer trainer. "Previous trainer before me, train them with west notation and i carry on in the same way. "
Their dreams are big...If this support will go on like this, there is no barrier for mentioning Little Lachos as "Lachos".
Deli Ayten's Sculpture Will Be Erected 06/11/2008
Gypsy neighborhoods are the dream of some and nightmare of others…Non-Gypsies are afraid of entering them… Gypsies do not want to leave them. There are many Gypsy neighborhoods in both İstanbul and Anatolia. One of these neighborhoods is Kızyakup in Bursa. The sculpture of “Deli Ayten” (Mad Ayten), who is the symbolized character of this neighborhood, will be erected in Kamberler History and Coordination Park by Osmangazi Municipality.
It is one of the major features of Gypsy neighborhoods; symbolic characters emerge out of them… “Deli Zafer” (Mad Zafer) and “Avare Mustafa” (Vagabond Mustafa), “Deli Hidayet” (Mad Hidayet),, who is also an artist, from Teneke Neighborhood in Nişantaşı, “Elekçi Baba” (Sieving Father) of Silivrikapı and many others whose name we do not know… Maybe, the most popular of these names is “Deli Ayten” from Kamberli…Deli Ayten was known not only around Kamberler but also by all the people from Bursa for her orgy, drum and stones on her skirt. There are many answers to the question of why “Deli Ayten was like that?” However, the most common of these is that: She suffered from meningitis and hence heavy damages to her brain in her childhood; she fell in love with alcoholic Cümbüşçü Hasan at the age of 13-14. Despite her family’s reluctance, she married Hasan. However, Hasan got distressed because of “Deli Ayten”, on the one
hand, and poverty, on the other. One day, he left home for the public house as he did everyday. Ayten waited for him and wandered around public houses for years in order to find him. “Deli Ayten”, whose real name is Ayten Şenışık, was born in 1953. Kamberler History and Coordination Park is one of the most important projects of Osmangazi Municipality. It will make a name for itself not only by its open space area and also its sculptures. In the park, there will be sculptures of celebrities like Osman Gazi, Orhan Gazi, Zeki Müren and Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar along with Deli Ayten who is known as the sympathetic mad character of Kamberler. Osmangazi Municipality President Recep Altepe has mentioned that there are traces of Deli Ayten in each and every square of the area where the market and park will be built. He says: “According to us, Deli Ayten is among the assets of Bursa. We want to make the new generations tknow about her by erecting the sculpture of such an admired personality. It is a different work and I am sure that it will suit the park very much.” Osmangazi Municipality will use Deli Ayten’s photograph taken by Nihat Küçük to erect the sculpture. The sculpture will be colored and it will portray Deli Ayten with her orgy in her hands, drum in her arms.
Gypsies Perpetuate the Traditon of Turkish Bath 18/11/2008
There used to be a tradition in Anatolia. We all remember the story roughly; bride, along with her and groom`s families, used to passes through her village and goes to Turkish bath. After migrating to city life, this custom has turned out to be a memory which we have longing for. However, Gypsies still carry on those traditions in a similar way as they were in the past.
In Edirne, Gazimihal Mahallesi, the bride is taken by the groom from her house. This ceremony is accompanied by musical instruments. After passing through the village, they arrive at the Turkish bath. The music keeps playing. People eat the fruits in the fruit basket which they bring along. The Gypsies of Gazimihal Mahallesi tell about the tradition which is almost totally removed by the majority of the society: “This is our tradition; our daughters and sons are dressed. We follow them to the Turkish bath. We play music and dance throughout the way. After the bath, we take bride to hairdresser and then to wedding. The fruit we take with us to the bath is eaten by bride and distributed to others. This is our tradition.”
Association Opening In Gördes 21/11/2008
The Gypsy residents of Huseyinli Baba Mahallesi in Gordes, Manisa, found an association. Seyfetting Budak will take over the chairperson position of the association Gordes Sen Romanlar Sosyal Yardimlasma ve Kultur Dernegi, founded in October. During his speech Seyfettin Budak brought up the issue of their discomfort caused by the majority of the society`s views against them. The opening of the association was accompanied by a festival in which not only the residents but also people from outer locations participated.
Born To Be Musicians 29/11/2008
Music is a sort of source of life for Gypsies. They listen to music anytime anywhere; when they are happy or sad, when they do the housework or work outside…There are quite many idioms and narrations regarding the situation, such as: “Once a gypsy gave his son a clarinet and told him to leave and not come back unless he learned how to play it” or “dancing even to door-creak”. Music comes before the alphabet An example of the situation has occurred in Manyas, a district in Balikesir. Gypsy kids living in Manyas initially learn how to play an instrument and then they draw their life route according to their abilities on the instruments they play. Gypsies living in the region want their kids to have a life free from harsh conditions of life. Thus they want them to deal with music. Gypsy kids, in a dissimilar way from those who are at the same age with them, play with the instruments they are given, instead of playing with toys. This makes them familiar with the sounds of the instruments in a very early stage of their lives. Hence, before they get into the alphabet, they develop music abilities. After participating in a few wedding ceremonies, they themselves become good musicians. In fact, this is not an ability one has inherently from one`s birth. But in order to protect themselves from harshness of life, Gypsy kids rather to follow the way they know best.
The Roma Visit The Municipality 06/12/2008
The leaders of the Association for Perpetuation and Conservation of the Roma Culture have visited the Osmangazi Mayor and articulated the need for creating for employment opportunities for the Roma.
Efkan Özçimen, the Chairman of the Association, conveyed several demands of the Roma to the Mayor Recep Altepe during their visit. Underlining the importance of the employment, "We want to collaborate in order to increase the educational level of the Roma. There are many Roma people who want to work but cannot find a proper job. We are waiting for your support on that issue," said Özçimen. He also brought up the healthcare rights and the problems that the Roma face in government offices.
Mayor Altepe, on the other hand, told that the project for "Musicians School" was completed and the school is to be opened soon. He added that Müjdat Gezen is to attend to the opening ceremony. There will be a coffeehouse for the musicians within the school.
They Are Waiting For The Cold Weather 16/12/2008
Ten thousands of children started to go to the school with the new education year. However, in Thrace in some regions Romany children who are craving for school are only able to go to the school in winter months.
Many of the students started to school and about to finish the first semester, however, in most of the regions of Turkey children are not able to go to the school because of their families are working in fields. Romany children who live in Thrace are also disappointed because of being absent from school. Romany who are working as a temporary agricultural worker, are working in sunflower and sugar beet fields. Their children are going with them because they can’t let them go alone. Obviously children are the aggrieved of this work. Safiye Çekiç who is also an agricultural worker and spends her days in fields stated that they took their children with them because they can’t leave them at home alone. Çekiç said they have also troubles with this and stated that they have no other chance to live.
Çiçek Çekiç who is attending to the 4th year of Primary Education said that they missed their first semesters since around 4-5 years because of that they have to work with their families in the fields. Çekiç said that in the last year his courses were very good and she will recompense the gap in this year after she starts to school.
BBC Made An Interview With www.cingeneyiz.org 17/12/2008
One of most important radio broadcast of England, BBC radio, made an interview with Cingeneyiz.org. David Landou, who is the producer of the program called Rokker Radio which is aired on Sundays, directed some questions to the Cingeneyiz.org team. Rokker Radio which is aired on Sundays from 21.00 to 23.00 (GMT +2) and is the voice of Gypsies from all around the world, taking a break after a long term of air. Last Sunday in the last program the producer David Landou, emphasized that their own program is over, however, a new Gypsy radio channel started to broadcast in Turkey. Landou stated that the beginning of the first Gypsy Radio Channel of Turkey, Radio Gypsy, prepared by our website is becoming more important. He also directed some questions to the team of Cingeneyiz.org on the issue about radio, Cingeneyiz.org and the situation of Gypsies in Turkey.
Support For Roma Woman 20/12/2008
Romany Culture Social Solidarity and Cooperation Association, in Izmir developed a project called ‘ I also exist in the city that I live’ for Romany women. The introduction meeting of the Project was made with the participation of the president of the Konak Municipality, Muzaffer Tunçağ. Also Prof. Dr. Nurselen Toygar, who is the former director of Konak municipality and Centre of Aegean University the Research and Implementation of Women Problems, supported. Toygar said: ‘’ The target is bring the Romany women to the social life. According to this target, different kinds of craft courses, education on woman rights and local
administration is to be given.’’
Source: Milliyet
İpsala Elected Memis İşçi Again 16/01/2009
Memiş İşçi re-elected as the chairperson of the Association of Romans. The general committee meeting was held in the public wedding hall of the municipality. In the general committee meeting, during which Erdin Tokat took the chair of the council, Memiş İşçi, Nejdet Tokat and Fikri Kenar were the nominees for the chair position. Memiş İşçi has polled 33 votes. Fikri Kenar has polled 13 and Nejdat Tokat has 18. The board, now, consists of Kadir Çelik, Yaşar Irkıl, Menderes Kırmızıkaya and Fikret Ö Sight-Seeing In
Menzilahır by the Governer of Edirne 17/01/2009
Mustafa Büyük, the governor of Edirne, has started his visits from the poor conditioned Roma districts in Edirne. As he visited people in kahvehane (traditional coffee shop) and listened to their needs and demands, he ordered action for help for those in need. The governor was quite upset by the hard living conditions of people in the area.
No Bathroom - No Toilette at Houses
During his visit around the district, Mustafa Büyük looked up the family of a 5th grade pupil. He asked whether the little girl went the school. The pupil said “Since we do not have a bathroom, I cannot take a shower. That makes me feel embarrassed of my friends. That is why I’m off the school.” When the government Büyük heard this, he said “We will do anything and everything for you to go on to your school. We will get you a bathroom and a toilette just so you go to school.”
New Employment Opportunities
Büyük told the citizens complaining about unemployment that the necessary arrangements were taking place to make up for the problem. He mentioned during his speech he gave to the journaliststhat trust funds would be raised for the citizens living in tough conditions. He said that several projects were to be held in order to create new areas of employment for the people living in the districts: “We have a project in common with the Jockey Club. There will be opened a course for hose farming here which will hopefully provide our people with job opportunities. Moreover, we will provide our people collecting frogs with support and help. We saw houses around without baths and toilettes; we will also better their conditions through trust funds.”
Picking Wood In Kirmasti 22/01/2009
The Romans are beside the brook side at the time when the current is at its highest strength in Kirmasti district in Kemalpasa, Bursa. The greatest concern for the inhabitants during wintertime is the source of fuel… The poor people, especially, are often suffering from the lack of fuel. Romans of the Dere (Brook) district partially provide heir needs from the Kirmasti Brook. As the brook drag along branches, the Romans pick those branches from the side of the brook and sometimes stepping in the water. Recently, a local, Kemal Pire (60), had died of heart attack by the brook and the Gypsies notes that this is something that they do not do for fun but because of necessity. “The stronger the current the more is the possibility for finding branches. On the other hand, it is harder to pick branches with strong stream and we sometimes need to go into the river to be able to pick the branches”, add the local Romans.
Wedding and Circumcision Ceremonies In Kırklareli 23/01/2009
A collective wedding and circumcision ceremony has been organized by a collaborative work of the Governorship of Kırklareli and the Kırklareli Roman Culture Preservation and Development Association on 23rd of January. “Our governor Hüseyin Avni Coş has always been side by side with our people by providing food, cloths, fuel, stove, and medicine. He has given donations to our children doing their military service, for hospital costs and baby food, and has supported the ones who lost their houses by providing clay tiles, wood and cement. The governor has been organizing collective wedding and circumcision ceremonies since the first time he was assigned and he is providing cloths and shoes as well as household appliances to the ones getting married” said Zafer Süpürgeci, the chairman of the association.
Süpürgeci announced that the collective wedding and circumcision ceremony organized by the governorship is going to take place on the 23rd of January. 100 people will be wedded and 40 children will be circumcised in the collective ceremony that will to cover entire Kırklareli towns and villages.
Abdals Association on The Spot 24/01/2009
Once found in Yerköy town of Yozgat, Abdals Associaton had to suspend all activities because of economical difficulties and lack of support. Veli Metin, the founding chairman of the association told us about the situation. Metin, assessing the problems Abdals who earn their keep by playing the drum, the violin, the darbuka and the jamboree in weddings and ceremonies have, says that the job they're doing was once really popular but recently with the increasing number of wedding halls, the demand for them has drastically fell.
"As the 16 families trying to carry on the tradition, we united under an association, but were disappointed. We were invited to activities as an association but couldn't receive any monetary support." complains Metin. As the association, without any monetary support, they couldn't sustain their activites anymore. Though the Culture and Tourism Ministry began working on a project to support the Abdals and employ the association members who carry on the Abdal tradition, it hasn't came to a conclusion yet. Metin also worriedly expressed that with the last few people who earn their keep by making music leaving their jobs and finding some others, the Abdal tradition would totally fade away.
Little Hand To Shoot For Bread 31/01/2009
This little boy lives in Kırklareli. His name is Alpay. He is 8 years old and a student of primary school. He says he had to work because his parents are jobless. So he plays the tommom in front of the cafes to get some baksheesh. By this means he is able to go to school and help his family. He plays the tomtom in the cold weather while his lucky peers stays at warm houses with their family.
The people who meets this little boy playing the tomtom in the streets suddenly stops and start to contemplate and give him some money. He is too young to bring up a family. But he is only one of the child workers in Turkey.
Kaynak: Yeşilyurt HABER
Fire In the Hut 05/02/2009
A fire broke out in Yeni Mahalle district where Romans are living. Four people barely survived from the fire. Fire got under control with the intervention of fire brigades.A fire, in Yeni Mahalle district in a street where Roman people live, broke out in Ercan Öztunç’s hut because of the electric heater. Four people who are living in the hut which surrounded with fire achieved to survive, fire spread to the two fold house owned by Remzi Öztunç. Fire Brigades of Sakarya Municipality intervened to fire in a short time and police routed the people out of the zone.
Hut has been totally burned out and also material damage occurred on the next building.
Source: Zaman
Urban Renewal In The Roma Neighborhood 07/02/2009
Urban renewal in Baglarbasi district in Yalova will be done by cooperation between TOKI and Yalova Municipality. “We have planned urban renewal against irregular urbanization and to provide hygienic housing in Baglarbasi district for years. We want to carry out postponed project for urban renewal. TOKI will do this.” says Mayor Barbaros Binicioglu.
Baglarbasi district is known as Roma settlement. Many roma says that they do not to want to be aggrieved and local authorities must consider their needs. Romani Association Opening Ceremony In Dikili Romany Association opening ceremony took place last month in Dikili. Many administrators and political party representatives attended the ceremony. The attendants made speeches indicating their good wishes. The event also included musical entertainment.
In the ceremony in which Dikili Subgovernor, Mayor and Police Chief were attendants, Executive Director of Dikili Romany Culture Social Welfare Association, Yakup Çardak, made a speech as well. “Culture Social Welfare Association made the first act in Turkey. Our association founded in 2005 and we also contributed to foundation of more than 60 non-governmental organizations. Next month, we are going to actulize a federation in Izmir. We are working on getting together under the same roof.” Çardak said. He also requested the attendant authorities to protect the Romany culture.
Romas Have Been Handed Over Their Houses 12/02/2009
Turnkey process of the council houses which have been built by Hendek Municipality for Romany citizens who reside in Turanlar district, has started. Mayor Ali Inci distributed the keys to the beneficiaries in the turnkey ceremony which took place in the council hall of the Hendek Municipality. Mayor Inci indicated that the houses, which have been built compatible with Rom culture will raise the life standards of the Roma residents. Mayor Inci, who indicated that citizens became house owners with projects aimed at various income brackets, said “We made this project considering social lives and incomes of Roma citizens.
These one-story houses which we built according to their demands, have been projected compatible with their culture. I wish lots of luck in their new homes. Citizens who took the keys to their houses thanked to Mayor.
The Mayor In The Gypsy District 20/02/2009
Ülgür Gökhan, who is the mayor of Çanakkale, and municipality engineering officers and Ramazan Işıldak, who is the district headman, investigated Fevzipaşa District. Technical investigation was started in the entrance of Sarıçay area and continued in Testicioğlu Street, Kuyu 1 Street, Kuyu 2 Street and Zafer Square. Ülgür Gökhan said: “We work on a bridge project that will be applied between Sarıçay area in Fevzipaşa District and the area near Government Water Affairs in Barbaros District. In addition, we will implement an urban transformation project in Fevzipaşa District.
Çanakkale Municipality has expropriated a ruined building known as tunny storage. This building will be transformed into a welfare service building by the municipality. People in Fevzipaşa District will live the urban transformation with us.” Furthermore, during the investigation trip, Mr. Gökhan said: “Some problems that were determined in past investigations have been solved. Additionally, some roads will be floored with cobblestones.”
Wedding In Bursa 09/03/2009
A mass wedding ceremony organized for Romani people took place in People Area With team work of Osmangazi Municipality, Bursa Romany Association and Olay Media Center. Marriage ceremony of Hasan İray and Remziye Daldır was conducted by Osmangazi Mayor Recep Altepe; while Labour and Social Security Minister Faruk Çelik, Bursa Senators Ali Kul and Ali Koyuncu, Bursa Governor Şahabettin Harput and Chief Constable of Istanbul Tahsin Demir were witnesses. Roamny dance and music shows added color to the ceremony. Bursa Governor Şahabettin Harput gifted each couple with a Republic Gold
Historical Documentary Film For Romany Women 14/03/2009
Mersin Romany Association was appreciated by Romany women who watched the 25 minute film about Romany history. The women could not help crying. In 2007 in Mersin Cultural Center, the film was shown to all the Romanies and really impressed them. The film, which outlined 1000 years of Romany history, was shown to Romany women in Mersin with team work of Mersin Romany Association and Radio Kent.
The film, which pointed out identitiy problem and the state of Romanies during World War II was shot by Mirza Turgut. The women could not hide their astonishment when they watched people living in other countries share the same life as them. Romany women have witnessed the state of Romany people during World War II and that made them far more emotional.
“We are grateful to Radio Kent and Mirza Turgut. They made a research about our history and culture. We were shocked when we watched the film – our ancestors had suffered and gone through a lot. We are citizens of this country, we love this country. But we want to live decently. We want to make our women and youngsters conscious and want to have a say in administration. Because of this, the film prepared and given to us by Radio Kent is important. I want thank Mirza Turgut and Radio Kent one more time.” Cemal Moğulte, Head of Romany Cooperation Association declared
Micro Credith to Cloth Peddlers 18/03/2009
More than 100 Romani women in Sakarya continue to work owing to the micro credits given by the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work. Gümüş, the head of the association, points out that the amount of the credit may reach to 2500 TL with the obligation of 3 % and adds: “In first place, this amount may seem as little, but women improve or establish their works with a little capital. For years, many women have used these credits. Of late years, Romani women are interested in this, too. Romani women usually peddle cloths or sell junks with their husbands.”
In addition to giving credits to women, Gümüş cites to their education programs: “We are trying to educate our women. For example, most of the women do not know how to take notes about their sells. We taught them in this subject. We also support them about how they should use their money effectively.” Hanif Girgin (35) who has been peddling clothes for many years to contribute to the budget of the house says that her neighbor informed her about the micro credit opportunities. She also tells that they work with small capitals: “While applying, I did not expect that our application will be accepted. Thanks to them, they took a close interest in us. I bought the materials for cloth peddling with the credit. God helps if you want to work. We can have profits when we work and pay our loans. I pay my loan in installments. Sometimes I can pay it before the deadline. I have 5 children. My husband works too. But I believe that I should earn my own money as a woman. We tell to the customers that we continue our works owing to these credits.”
Good News On The Housing Side 16/05/2009
Last week, Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Aziz Kocaoglu has visited the Ege Neighborhood for the elections and spoke about the projected urban transformation in the region. Kocaoglu, told that the projected transformation is to be implemented gradually. "Ege Neighborhood has huge problems and it is a priority for us. We are going to solve this problem here in this neighborhood. We will not build skyscrapers here. The buildings that we plan to build here are at most three storey high. We are going to solve your problems in a way that is compatible with your way of living. We are going to build houses for about 280 families around Gurcesme and we are going to move you there, temporarily. There are 655 households in Ege Neighborhood. We are going to move only a half of the neighborhood and we are going to build their new houses here. And then we are going to move the second half to Gurcesme and build the second half of the houses here in Ege Neighborhood. Hence, you will all move to your new houses," he said. The Roma people that were listening to him were very content with Kocaoglu's words and said they were really hopeful about the result.
Tension In The Soccer Field 10/06/2009
Tension was raised between Ayvalik Kayaspor and Edremit Sanayispor, both known as Romans` football teams , during a Second Amateur League football match that took place in Altinova Ataturk Stadium. Ayvalik Kayaspor was expected to announce to be the champion, in the case of a dead heat.
Both teams` fans supported their teams with cheering and applauses. Both fans and the players remained in a gentlemanly manner until the 70 th minute of the match. However, following the foul by a Kayaspor player, the tension was raised. When the tension turned out to be a fight, the security forces intervened and reduced the tension. After the security forces taking the edge off, the game finished with a 2-1 score, with the victory of Edremit Sanayispor.
Bloody Ending To Kids' Fight 12/06/2009
The fight started among the kids living in Nurettin Pasa Caddesi, known as a residence where Romans live, raised the tension among the locals when adults too got involved in. The security forces intervened the fight, following three people getting injured. During the incident led by kids` fight, E.E., a member of one of the families involved in the incident, injured three people shooting up around with his gun. The injured people were taken to the hospital and a massive number of riot police were sent to the location where the incident took place. Five people considered to be parties to the incident, including E. E. shooting up around, were taken into custody by the security forces
Blacksmiths in Soke 18/06/2009
Soke Demirciler ve Madeni Esya Sanatkarlari Odasi, the foundation serving handicraftsmans in Soke from 1957 till now, organised a morale and cooperation event for its members. The officiall head of Soke, İsmail Demirhan, the chair person of Aydin Esnaf Odalari, Hulusi Aksit, the director of Soke Tax Office, Mustafa Coban and the other members have attended to celebrating with their wifes. The members over 30 years in their professional life have been appreciated with plates.
Ismail Demirhan, signed the celebrating as an indicator of contention of blacksmiths to continue to their jobs: ‘As you know, today, it is not easy to sustain such a traditional job as it is very difficult to rice with modern world technology just using your hand and effort. ‘ The Roman Public Dancers Group attended to the celabrating with their special figures and fascinated participants. By the time, the unique farrier member of Demirciler ve Madeni Esya Sanatkarlari Odasi, Halil Pandir, was honored with plate as he is the member over 42 years. Ahmet Tokmakoglu, the chair person of Demirciler ve Madeni Esya Sanatkarlari Odasi, emphasized 52 years spend time with cooperation. He explained that their goal is to institutionalize this
celabrating in future
Basketmakers are Leaving Their Job 20/06/2009
The basketmakers living in Ilicabasi in Aydin, pointed out that they are being forced to leave their job as they could not compete against Chinese products and other technological products.Roma living in Ilicabasi, explained that they have competed againts plastic products before to keep their job, but now, as the Chinese products are commonly used in all bazaars, their manufacturing has been interrupted. The basketmaker Roma are very anxious as they could not even earn money to maintain their life. They want officers to take measures about this problem and said that: ‘The basketry is the most popular characteristics of Roma, but now it is being defeated to technological products as other crafts.’
‘First, the plastic baskets then the cheap and nasty Chinese produtcs forced us out of bazaar even if we work all the day. Although this season is normally very active about sales, we could not sell any baskets, even one in a day! We are just producing but not able to sell. Cheap and nasty products depressed not only our jobs but also all over the world. ’ One of the basketmakers, Ceylan Aydeniz, explained that formerly they were only making baskets to earn their life and it was enough for them but now, even they made lots of different jobs besides this, they are at the point of losing their natural life. He said that ‘People used to buy handmade baskets before, but now they are preferring cheap and nasty Chinese plastic baskets. As you know, plastics are either very harmful for human health or dangerous for environment’
Roma Agricultural Laborers From Perspective of Mrs Kadriye
We visited Mrs. Kadriye’s house while “cingeneyiz.org” team was working on “Gypsies of Kuştepe Oral History” study. She gave both current and historical information about Gypsies who work as agricultural laborer in Aegean region.
Mrs. Kadriye who was born in Balıkesir cited that they continued to keep in touch with their relatives in village although they moved to İstanbul 20 years ago. As Mrs. Kadriye said, she was also an agricultural laborer and she worked very hard with very little money, especially in summertime. She pointed out that her relatives still continue to work on fields. She explained that they work as collectors in the fields and said “… We worked under very heavy conditions. We earned only chickenfeed. Nowadays, a bale of straw is packed for 350 kurus(penny). Imagine how much money can be earned when 3 or 4 people pack 200 bale of straw, at maximum…”
Her eyes were full with ears when she explained that most of Gypsies live under similar conditions. According to her, what they experienced were not only trouble, but extreme poverty and misery. She cited that many children pass away because of stinging of centipedes since families have no place for children to leave and they are bound to take children along with them while they are going to fields. Moreover she emphasized that the easier works are made by habitants while the relatively difficult and dangerous ones are made by them(Gypsies) What saddens her most is the idea that they did not receive a concrete payment for their labor in the long years in farming.
One Day In Ayvalik 01/07/2009
Some needs of 45 children who live in tents in Altınova were supplied by the organization of governorship and municipality of Ayvalık and Institution of Social Services.
12 children from 6-12 group of age were bathed by Social Services officers and new clothes were given as gift to the children. After they had their lunch together, children spent time in the play garden of dormitory. They enjoyed fully this pleasant day.
Little Romans didn’t move away from the nearby of Nihat Nalbant, governor of Ayvalık and they thanked all people who contributed to this organization.
Nalbant declared that although he was happy with children, it was only a temporary happiness. He said “We saw our children’s position in winter. I observed their life in tents. What we are doing is not solution; however it is better than not to do anything. Now, their happiness reflected on me. I experienced it, yet it is not permanent. After a while, all of them will go to tents and a few days later they will become dirty again. This happiness is temporary. We wish we could give home to all families and find job to them. We wish fathers could buy shoes to their children by themselves. We wish children could have bath not in institutions, but in their homes.”
Grup Kako Visited Salihli Municipality 02/07/2009
Salihli municipality has announced that they will be sponsoring Grup Kako, a music group competing in the music contest “Ille de Roman olsun” (TN: It is a popular TV competition program for Roman music in Turkey)
This year, there are 13 groups competing in the program that started airing last Sunday and Grup Kako from Salihli is among the contestants. The group performed their first live show with Sevket Uğurçay (vocals), Engin Kandaş (clarinet), Sezgin Kandaş (keyboard), Aşkın Gök (keyboard), Ercan Anguşhan (violin) Damla Uğurçay (dancer) and Perihan Doruk (dancer). “I wish good luck and success to our friends from Şehitler district from our Salihli. They have who made us proud,” said Mustafa Uğur Okay, Mayor of Salihli municipality and declared that the municipality would sponsor the promising group.
Meanwhile, the group members expressed their gratitude to Ahmet Öztekin, Culture and Arts Commission chairman of Salihli municipality and Ibrahim Yüksel, member of the Culture and Arts Commission.
Roma Football Group Founded in Akhisar 04/07/2009
Çağlayanspor, which was initially founded in 1971 and has been one of the most colorful teams of the non-federated tournaments in Manisa, will be competing in the local second amateur football league from now on. Chairman Cavit Çelik, who has been leading the re-establishment of the team during the last 6 months, announced that, once all the documentation is completed, Çağlayanspor is going to be part of the second amateur league 38 years after its establishment.
“We will temporarily use the coffee house in Hacı Ishak district as our headquarters. I have taken charge as the provisional chairman until the first steering committee meeting, which will take place on September. During this time, the steering committee members will be Zeki Tamir, Salih Avşar, Hüseyin Davulcu, Ergül Kırcalı and Oktay Tamir. Our first aim is to become the champion in second amateur league of Manisa starting at the end of February 2010 and rise to the first amateur league. We chose Talat Çolakoğlu to train the yellow and red colored team,” said Cavit Çelik, the elected chairman of Akhisar Çağlayanspor.
Roma People Removed Their Tents 06/08/2009
Roma people in Bolu removed their tents that they set near the stream.
A group of Roma people who came from Sakarya and Izmit to Bolu had started to live by setting their tent camp near the stream. Bolu Municipal Police Department sent official paper to remove their tents. When Roma people who decide to remove the camp through the paper and oral warning carrying their goods, the gendarme forces hedged against possible tension with widely security actions.
It is learned that Roma people will remove Taskesti/Bolu with the trucks that were allocated by Municipality
Roma Association In Ayvalik 27/08/2009
Roma people who live in Ayvalık -the town of Balıkesir- opened “Ayvalık Roma Culture and Solidarity Association”
Mustafa Çelik, chairman of the association, stated that their aim to present Roma culture and to interest the problems of Roma people. Çelik says, “We completed all legal process about the setting our association. We will open our association building sooner. This association which set in Hamdibey neighbourhood will not serve only the people of this neighbourhood, we will work for all Roma families who live in and near Ayvalık. Beside our solidarity, we will work to provide spreading our wide culture.”
The Luckless Metaphor of Minister 01/09/2009
The words of North Cyprus Turkish Republic Ersin Tatar, “We are not a gypsy tribe, we are a state” created deep dislike among Roma people.
Recent days, when new Minister of Finance NCTR Ersin Tatar was declaring the new provident programme to the pres, he used an interesting metaphor. Minister Tatar said: “We are not a gypsy tribe, we are a state and we will sustain this state economically.
The team of cingeneyiz.org realized the negative reactions in many gypsy neighbourhoods about Minister’s metaphor. A lot of citizens who saying that a metaphor can contain a false want to not use this kind of metaphors. We, the team of cingeneyiz.org remind NCTR The Minister of Finance Ersin Tatar who have graduated from Cambridge University that the public people make more sensible public declarations and request an explanation from Tatar about these words as soon as possible.
Recycling Museum of Yahya Kemal 10/09/2009
Cemil Atmaca the president of Roman Culture Association which consists of members mostly doing salvage and paper collecting for their livelihood exhibiting interesting stuff which were found by locals while collecting garbage. By their own definition ‘’ Recycling Museum’’ shows the different aspects of this hard occupation.
Neighborhood of Kağıthane Yahya Kemal hosting 30 Roman families even after the destructions made in the content of project urban regeneration. The livelihood of the neighborhood is salvage and paper collecting as it was before. In the region, which was hosting 70 families before, some of the housings were destructed because of being located on a water pipe which belongs to ISKI (Water Management Office). Cemil Atmaca and locals, who made some attempts to make the urban regeneration project socially predominant, established Roman Culture Association to be able to continue to their workings on a more effective platform. Atmaca who is also an author of our web site indicates that his only wish will be to continue to his studies.
On the one corner of the association Cemil Atmaca is exhibiting some interesting stuff which was found by collecting. He named this as ‘’ Recycling Museum’’. This museum which owns many valuable stones, gas lamps, glasses, necklaces, coins and models is attractive for both locals and visitors of the neighborhood. Mostly unimportant, thrown away stuff regains meaning in the Recycling Museum.
The President Cemil Atmaca has made a model of the neighborhood by matchboxes and thrashes. In the model the water pipe which passes under a part of the neighborhood and which was the reason for destructions was also shown. Atmaca is using this model in the meetings about urban regeneration project to be able to explain the case better and he indicates that the model is taking big attention.
The Picture of Catalca is Desperate 14/09/2009
Dere(River) Street in Çatalca is one of the places that was most influenced by the flood in September. However, habitants complain officials since they did not receive their expected supervision after flood.
Flood severely influenced Dere Street in center of Çatalca. All houses which belong to Roma people and had been located in the water course not only became the victims of the flood, but also were smeared with mud. All roads and streets were severely broken into pieces and all cars turned upside down. Of course the habitants were in a desperate situation.
Flood took over at night!
The state of Dere Street shows us the severe consequences of flood. The street had its name “Dere(River)” since there is a big river under this street. It was also one of the places which was influenced by flood most because of the same reason. Approximately 100 houses which Roma live in were builded in the river course.
Gülizar Eker is someone who was influenced by the flood, too. Eker said “ It caught us while we were sleeping. We waked up because of the noise of water. We escaped to the upwards but we did not rescue anything from the flood. Now we don’t have any cloth or shelter. We are waiting for help.”
Furniture designer, Hasan Filiz, argued that these people weren’t paid attention since they are Roma. Filiz said “ Politicians come here only before the elections each 5 years and promise us to give land registration. There should be an opportunity for us to live in a better place. They do not pay attention to us because of our race.
Roma were placed in a school in provinces, yet they think desperately about this temporary solution.
3 people are still lost!
According to volunteer people from this web site who joined to the rescue teams, Roma are trying to help desperate people in Çatalca though their own rescue and help teams. However, these supervisions remain inadequate because of the limited resources and equipments. Habitants pointed out that they made what they can do and it is still necessary to have help from the government.
Although the teams are searching for them, two children in seven and nine ages and an old woman are still lost and unfortunately officials said that it is nearly impossible to have a good outcome. Dere Street and its habitants live in pessimism and worry.
We people, as “çingeneyiz.org” team, strongly hope that responsible officials would give pay attention to these people and build new alternative houses for Roma as soon as possible.
Preperations For Burhaniye Roman Band 16/09/2009
It has been announced that a Roman band will be established in Burhaniye, Balikesir. We have received information that the mayor of the town is supportive for such an idea.
“There has been a demand from the local Roman’s to establish a group and such band would have an impact on the promotion of the town” said major Fikret Akova.
The previous day, at the city council meeting, Major Fikret Akova announced that they have initiated the preparations to start a local Roman band in the town. While he mentioned that it was the Romans who demanded a band, he told that he has charged the human resources manager of the city hall, Elif Şenak, for the organization. “ Anyone who would like to perform music or dance should do so. I believe that such band would be a good advertisement for the town,” continued the mayor. He declared that they have started the preparations to organize a reading and writing course in Memiş district for the illiterate Roman citizens.
Their Livelihoods are Provided from Frogs 18/09/2009
The livelihoods of a group of people, mainly Romans, in Edirne, Menzilahir district depends on the frogs that they collect.
The frog collecting Romans in Menzilahir district live with the frogs that many others would hesitate to even touch. Everyday is a struggle while collecting the frog and they earn they lives by selling the frogs that they have collected during the day.
They collect between 40-60 kilograms of frog in one day and sell them for 4 TL (1.85 €) per kilogram. The Romans note that they have been collecting frogs for 20 years and that they start collecting frogs from October until the end of May and do other jobs afterwards.
It's not a Maritime in The Bosphorus; a Shed in Bakkalköy 29/09/2009
Yuksel Dum and his family had their formal land allocation certificate belonging to their in Kucuk Bakkalkoy. However, during the Urban Transformation Project in 2006, their house was destroyed mistakenly. Dum says that after being left homeless they constructed a shed on the same land they used to have their house once. But it seems very difficult to keep survive in the conditions that they face now.
“The Roman Neighbourhood” in Kucukbakkalkoy of which a large part was destroyed during the Urban Transformation Project is now almost completely empty. Now there are concrete remains everywhere that used to ring with the joy of children`s voices previously. We met Yuksel Dum there, who tried to hold on to life through his small plant house he established with limited opportunities in his own land. Mr Dum is now living with 18 family members under very difficult conditions in the shed he himself established.
Dum said that his house was destroyed in 19.07.2006 sharing the same faith with the other houses around, although he had his formal land allocation certificate. He said although he was guaranteed compensation for the damage made mistakenly, he did not receive anything afterwards.
Moreover, a notification he has recently received asked him to buy the land and house again which he was already given after the reconstruction amnesty. And because of the amount he is required to pay in order to buy the land and house again is so high that Mr Dum is missing sleep for days now.
Mr Dum claims that the amount that was required for the house in 2008 was 27,009,78 TL and he is in a position to prove this through a formal document. He says that he has 475 square meters land in total, including his father`s land and adds: “They estimated 2,150,00 Turkish Liras for a square meter of my house. It is impossible for us to pay that amount.” If the fair price of the land mentioned in the related document is confirmed, then Mr Dum will have to pay this amount which goes up to million Turkish Liras to buy again his own shed. But it seems impossible for him to pay this as he is making a living out of selling flowers in the streets. Mr Dum asks: “Is this a maritime in Bogaz or a shed in Bakkalkoy?”
Yuksel Dum wishes to live with his family and keep up with his work where he was born. Dum says that he is determined to seeks his rights in the legal platform
PS: To contact and support Yüksel Dum you can send an email to cingeneyiz@yahoo.com
Roman's Photography Exhibition In Izmir 13/10/2009
State Photography and Statue Museum of İzmir has started to its new artistry period with famous artworker Aydın Çetinbostanoğlu’s photography exhibition called ‘Romans and the Wedding’.
Photography exhibition has been presented in the 150st year celebration of the Faculty of Political Sciences in İzmir branch office. Lots of people such as Sait Topoğlu, Ardahan Totuk the vice governors of İzmir; Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Erkan, the chairman of the Faculty of Political Sciences of İzmir branch office and Özcan Çayırlı, the chairman of the Aegean Roman Organization Federation have been attended this exhibition.
The special sixty photographes have been presented for the regard of artlovers in the exhibition. These photographes are reflecting the lifestyle of Romans from different places such as İzmir, İstanbul, Edirne, Diyarbakır, Nusaybin, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli and Aydın.
At the begining of exhibition, Çetinbostanoğlu has explained why he organised this exibition: ‘Because lots of people have bias about Romans. That is why i have spent 8 years to take 60 photographes. Everyone can imagine something about Romans as an imagine, but these photographes are the real image of the Romans. Maybe people can interrogate their wrong thoughts about Romans, this is the only aim of this exhibition.’
Roma Centre For Research and Information 21/10/2009
The Association for Solidarity, Research, Development of the Roman Culture started building “the Roma Centre for Research and Information” which is considered to include a lot of metarials related to Roma people and their history.
The association president Efkan Özçimen noted that the center will be open to anyone wishing to investigate the Roma culture and he added that: “Thousands of studies regarding Roma were held in various universities during decades in our country. Now we establish a research and information centre where Roma culture will be told through the EU projects.” Expecting to complete the establishment of the centre within two months, Özçimen thanked to the Bursa Governor for its support.
Gypsies' Tents are Burnt in Bakırköy 06/11/2009
Tents around Bakırköy D-100 highway, which were built by Roma, were burnt by municipal police. Gypsies could not control their tears, when they saw their burning tents.
Bakırköy Municipal Officers came to the place which tents were built upon. This place was in Osmaniye district, where there is still continuing underground road building. Officers, first, waited for Gypsies to empty their goods, and then they poured the gas upon the tents and burnt them. Many people watch this scene with tears. At the same time, some children who lived in these tents protested the burning.
People who lived in tents points out that they know that it is illegal to live in tents there, however they do not have any other alternatives. People who lost their tents demand support from the government. Their biggest concern is about upcoming winter.
Event: Roma Workshop 14/12/2009
The Roma workshop took place on Thursday, December 12 2009 in Conrad Hotel with a participation of about 120 people from the Rom and Dom associations and representatives form the parliament; the state minister Faruk Celik, Bursa deputy Ali Koyuncu and Istanbul deputy Nursuna Memecan. The workshop attracted a great public interest.
Many attendees from the member societies associated with Federation of Rom Associations, Federation of Aegean Rom Associations, Federation of Mediterranean Rom Associations and Federation of Thrace Rom Associations and independent associations were present at the meeting. Contributions from other independent societies and individuals practicing related issues were also received during the workshop. The workshop was held close to the media. On the first session, all associations were asked to present themselves. The presentations covered perspectives and solution proposals from different groups. Occasional arguments on alternative solutions and views occurred during the session.
The second session was initiated with Faruk Celik’s presentation. The state minister highlighted that Roma are one of the most disadvantaged group among all others and that the government cannot remain inactive on these issues. During the session regional Dom and Rom associations reported the concerns and issues from their domain.
At the end of the meeting, Fahrettin Savci, the chairman of the Federation of Thrace Rom Associations gave a broom with a mirror to the state minister Faruk Celik. According to the Rom customs, the broom with a mirror is believed to sweep the badness. Faruk Celik, receiving presents consisting of a Roma music CD and a large size Turkish flag with an Ataturk portrait expressed his gratitude for the presents and said “ We will sweep the badness all together”. The workshop was finalized by the election of a representation committee from the members of the federations and associations that will coordinate the future work.
Women From Bergama Has Formed an Association 17/12/2009
Roma women living in Atmaca District in Bergama has formed the Women’s Association for Solidarity and Development of the Roma Culture.
In the opening ceremony in the 8th of December, as well as a lot of regular people, the Bergama Deputy Mayor Hüseyin Güngör, the city council member Hüseyin Tan, the Roma Associations Federation President Erdinç Çekiç, the Lüleburgaz Association President Mustafa Gökçe, the Tekirdağ Association President Suleyman Karatepe, and the Keşan Association President Ayvaz Yalaç also participated. The Association for Solidarity and Development of the Roma Culture President, Meryem Pirzola, delivering a speech at the ceremony explained their aim as to contribute to Roma women’s development in economic, cultural and social spheres and promoting the Roma culture.
The Association president, Meryem Pirzola, said that: “We have received a huge support from the Bergama Deputy Mayor and board of administration throughout the whole process of forming this association, including this space given to us for our activities. I’m thankful to all of these people supporting us.” The opening ceremony ended with the entertaining show of some young people.
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