"To be or not to be" Sinti, Gypsy, and Romani: Crisis of Sinti ethnic identity

The historical memory of the Sinti ethnic minority/Gypsies of Upper Carniola in Slovenia has been maintained through the centuries only through oral tradition, from the older generations to the younger; the skills and knowledge have been passed down to the younger generations. Therefore, the ability to recall and record Sinti knowledge has remained in the collective memory of particular identities, which is, contrary to the myths, faithfully and objective, with historical accuracy maintained over many generations. Language, culture and habits of these unusual descendants of Indian travellers, are even nowadays still a "tabula rasa." The ancient rule that “Gadje” (civilians) may not pass on Sinti habits, customs, religion, and language, to stick through all generations, even today. The historical primal fear of persecution is still rooted in their objective memory, and which phenomenon and causality I have recorded this in all European Sinti. When I was in correspondence with the German Sinti, I expressed my desire if I may scientifically research our minority, the President of "Zentralrat Deutscher Sinti und Romani," (Central Council of Germans Sinti and Romani) Roman Franz, who is also a Sinto, also expressed his concern: "...the German Sinti concluded that the teaching of our culture be done only within Sinti families (and not publicly). In addition, the Union of German Sinti, all of the German Associations of Sinti, and the Sinti that are living here, have never publicly spoken about their rules. We both know that such decisions have had made following the Second World War, after the Nazi regime persecuted us. We faced and we still are facing a very bad experience that was due to Nazism. We (the Sinti) and all responsible, have come to the conclusion after the Second World War that our rules, (Sinti) regulations and our language is further passed on only within the family. I would also advise you, and ask of you, that our laws and regulations are not to be spread further among Gadje and I would appreciate if you could agree with this." Read more