6 minute read
Unlocking the rich history of Romani music
Its cultural significance and artistic value
by Paolina Elezi
Rewind
Roma music is a category of its own and there is a separate term for it, as it comes from the Roma or Gypsies. It is about nomadic people with roots from Northern India. Due to the frequent movements, their music has been influenced by different peoples and cultures, resulting in diversity and different musical colors.
The music of the Roma is challenging to find as a prototype, since, as mentioned above, it was influenced due to their migration. However, it is characterized by fast or slow melodies and, of course, the voice that presents many waves and on which a great emphasis is placed. Generally, sources state that it developed around the 15th century using stringed instruments such as the lute in Italy and Hungary (Rombase, 2021).
Guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt pioneered this type of music.
The Roma are known for working professionally with music. They played at important ceremonies, such as weddings, christenings and funerals. Since they did not have their place, they created their own spaces in each country they settled. Their music, therefore, comes from countries where they lived and incorporated musical instruments and linguistic elements. The Romani language dominates their songs. Roma music includes a diverse variety of musical genres and categories. Some of the most important categories will be analyzed below.
Flamenco
Let’s see some of the most well-known categories of Romani music, which also have an international influence. Flamenco could not be missing from this category. Flamenco comes from nomadic people of India who migrated to Spain in the 15th century. Due to the concentration of immigrants in ghettos, they kept their dance and music. According to sources (Ispania.gr, 2008), the word “Flamenco” is synonymous with the word “Gypsy” because that is what the Spanish called the beggar Indian immigrants.
It must be mentioned that there are some theories regarding the origin of “Flamenco”. According to politician Blas Infante “flamenco” derives from the Spanish-Arabic expression “fellah-mengu”, meaning “peasant without land”, but this might come from a political perception. On the other hand, Demófilo, Spanish anthropologist, author and folklorist, supports that “Flamenco” owes its name to the first exponents, the Gypsies, who are also called “Flamencos”. The reason why Gypsies are called Flamencos, possibly derives from the word “flama”, implying the fiery temperament of gypsies (Espanol.gr, 2009).
Due to the frequent movements, their music has been influenced by different peoples and cultures, resulting in diversity and different musical colors.
Around the end of the 18th century, King Charles III of Spain, recognized some rights of the Gypsies, like their release, because they were “Gitanos” (Library of Congress Blog, 2021). Thus, they started to have contact with the locals and the Spanish people added their characteristic passion and eroticism.
Flamenco was at its peak from the middle of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th. The dance was also admired by higher social classes and the dancers were also profession- als. Over time, Flamenco became more and more known worldwide: elements from Latin America began to enter and instruments such as the flute and the saxophone were added. Flamenco can be expressed through music, guitar playing, dancing and singing.
Ederlezi
From Spain, we arrive in the Balkans, with the musical category of Ederlezi, a traditional folk song of the Roma of the Balkan peninsula. With “Ederlezi”, the gypsies celebrate the return of spring, as it allowed them to move and was also a reasonable period for trade and work in the fields. It’s an important holiday for the gypsies, along with August 15. In Slavic countries, it is celebrated according to the old calendar on May 6. The word “Ederlezi” comes from the Turkish word “Hıdırellez”, which means the beginning of spring. In the Balkans, variants of the word are used, such as “Herdeljez” and “Erdelezi” (Tsitirides, G., Parallaxi, 2020).
Gypsy jazz
Gypsy jazz is a cross-section of the history of Roma music. Generally, the principal instruments that prevail in this type of music are the guitar and the saxophone, but the accordion, the violin and the clarinet also contribute. Rapid alternating changes in rhythm are also observed and spontaneity is a characteristic element. The melody is emotional and, at the same time, straightforward and honest.
Guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt pioneered this type of music. He appeared in the 20s-30s in Paris and, together with the Ferre brothers, they developed the Jazz Manush that attracted many people. Note that Django is from the Manouche gypsy tribe, often referred to by the French name “Jazz Manush” or “Manouche Jazz”. The term is now widely used for this style of music. After huge success, tours all over Europe followed. Specifically, Jazz Manush is said to have started at a time when musicians living in France tried to recreate the popular music that came from abroad in their own “gypsy” way. The theme of this style is performed not only with the help of the guitar, but is complemented by the sound of the accordion and violin (Gigafox, 2023).
Django’s performance was unlike anything the French and other Europeans had heard, as Django’s improvisations amazed people with their imagery and even perfection. The birth of a new musical culture marked the era of the 30s of the 20th century. We could say that Jazz Manush remains one of the most popular trends in jazz today.
Conclusion
Therefore, behind some of the most essential categories of music that are known to this day, interesting stories arise from the arrival of the Roma in European countries. From the enchanting and passionate music of Flamenco to the classic note of Jazz, Romanis have left their mark on the world music scene. Below, you can check the Spotify list by scanning the QR code with songs we recommend to have an idea according to the above information.
Did you know?
Music can help in the healing process, dismantling walls and boundaries, reconciliation and education.
