Journey of Romani people, from India to Dendropotamos

Going through the Roma people’s history through centuries

by Maelis Juvin

Nowadays, the Romani represent approximately 3% of Greece’s population. What has been their historical journey from India to Greece? And what is the story behind the creation of Dendropotamos?

First arrival in Greece

Tracing back the historical journey of the Romani people in Greece leads us to their origins in Northern India. Their linguistic roots serve as a significant indicator of this heritage. Departing India in the 11th century, the exact reasons behind their migration remain unsure as a few leads are still being investigated.

One prevailing theory suggests that they were presented as a gift by the Indian King Shangul to the Persian King Bahram V to provide musical entertainment in the 11th century. In return, Bahram granted them crops for cultivation, yet they consumed the harvest and requested more. Consequently, the Shah expelled them from his realm, pushing their migration through Armenia to the Byzantine Empire and, later, Greece.

They came from Toumba, an Eastern neighborhood of Thessaloniki, as well as from Athens and Turkey.

Over the centuries

During the Ottoman Empire’s rule over Greece, which lasted for several centuries, the Roma faced both opportunities and challenges. Some Romani individuals found employment as artisans, musicians and entertainers in urban centers, while others continued their nomadic lifestyles in rural areas.

In the 20th century, Greece saw profound historical events, including the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which formalized population exchanges between Greece and Turkey. This led to demographic shifts and influenced the composition of Romani communities.

Another pivotal moment in Romani history within Greece was their active participation in the National Resistance during World War II. Despite facing persecution by the Nazis due to their Romani identity, they actively engaged in acts of sabotage and provided crucial intelligence within the Greek Resistance.

Current fights

They finally accessed Greek nationality during the 1970s. However, despite being the largest minority in Greece, they still do not hold the formal status of a national minority, which would grant them the right to education in their mother tongue.

In the early 2000s, a governmental initiative was implemented with the goal of ameliorating the conditions and integration of the Roma within the country. Regrettably, after the economic crisis of 2008, coupled with political instability and the Refugee crisis, the situation of the Romani community took a back seat for officials.

In summary, Roma communities living in Greece comprise individuals from various waves of immigration. Some arrived centuries ago, while others found their way in the 20th century, particularly from Turkey. Nowadays, the main Roma communities are located in Athens and Thessaloniki but there are also communities in other regions, such as in the Thrace (Minority Rights Group).

Another pivotal moment in Romani history within Greece was their active participation in the National Resistance during World War II.

Settlement in Dendropotamos

Dendropotamos, literally translating to ‘Tree River’ in English, was once a hunting ground until the 1950s. It was during this period that the first settlers arrived, marking the beginning of a gradual population increase. Its proximity to the city center rendered Dendropotamos an appealing settlement.

At the same time, Roma communities also began to establish in the neighborhood. They came from Toumba, an Eastern neighborhood of Thessaloniki, as well as from Athens and Turkey. Nowadays, around 90% of Dendropotamos inhabitants are Roma.

Did you know?

Many Christian Roma in Greece follow Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Muslim Roma in Greece have historical ties to the Ottoman Empire’s presence in the region.