Domari Romani in Libya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Romani or Domari, comprise two groups: the Ghorbati and the Nawari. Both groups speak a dialect of the language called Romany, which is related to Punjabi and Rajasthani, both South Asian languages. Their dialect, Domari, contains many Arabic words. Romani speakers call themselves Rom, which in their language means "men." They derive Rom from the word Dom, meaning "a man of low caste who gains his livelihood by singing and dancing."Romani speaking people originated in India where their ancestors worked as musicians, entertainers, and metal workers. They were discriminated against and excluded from Hindu temples. Later, they were sent to Persia as minstrels. From there, the Romani separated into two groups. One traveled northward and became the Romany-speaking European Romani. The other traveled southward and became known as the Domari, or Middle Eastern Romani. The latter group lives in Turkey and other countries in Central Asia. There are many in the Arabic speaking countries: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and especially Egypt.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Romani live scattered throughout much of the world. Most of them are nomads, wandering from region to region, and they depend on a variety of entrepreneurial skills for their livelihood. It is common for Romani to have two or more specialized occupations. This makes it easier for them to adapt to a changing society's needs. When a region's people no longer need a Romani's particular skill, they move on to find another community that needs their skills, be it metal working, entertainment or whatever.


People often associate the Romani with their abilities as musicians, singers, and dancers. They also hold a wide variety of other occupations. The men are skilled makers of sieves, drums, bird cages, and reed mats. They also entertain with animals, work as tinkers, or play music. The women sometimes sell such things as cloth, shoes, kitchen utensils, or other products made by Romani men. Many also sing and dance. Both men and women shear sheep, spin wool, and tell fortunes. Women and children are forced to beg for food as a means of survival.


There are some Romani villages and communities in the Middle East. Some also live in the cities and have become an integral part of urban life. Other Romani are nomadic and either travel in caravans of wagons or carts, or they ride on camels, donkeys or horses. The settled Romani usually live in houses that are typical to those of the region in which they settle.


Romani marriages usually take place between couples in their teens. Romani people consider sexual purity a must for young women. Before she is married, her family must be proof that she has never been with a man.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Romani in Middle Eastern or Central Asian countries like Libya are usually Muslim, and they follow the practices and beliefs of the Islamic faith. The traditional beliefs of the Romani such as that ghosts, lizards, and snakes can harm humans, that men have the power to curse others by giving them the "evil eye," and that some people have the power to heal the sick are no longer held by most Romani.


What Are Their Needs?

The quality of health care, nutrition, housing, and education is poor, especially those who live in refugee camps. Believers with the right skills could be a blessing to the Romani by providing some of these needs. Their nomadic lifestyle has made it difficult for workers to reach them. The Islamic religion is very difficult to influence. All they have are Bible portions in their language. Christian workers need to teach them how to live lives pleasing to God.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Domari culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.


Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Domari family and community leaders in Libya to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.


Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a movement to Christ among the Domari people.


Pray that their dire conditions will soon lead the Domari to seek the One True God who yearns to give them the peace and joy of the Lord.


Scripture Prayers for the Romani, Domari in Libya.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Romani, Domari
People Name in Country Romani, Domari
Natural Name Domari Romani
Pronunciation do-MAR-ee ROH-muh-nee
Alternate Names Barake; Churi-Wali; Dom Gypsy; Domari; Ghagar; Ghorbati; Ghorbati Gypsy; Gypsy; Halebi Gypsy; Helebi; Indian Gypsy; Karachi; Kowli; Kowli Gypsy; Kurbat; Luli; Luli Gypsy; Middle East Gypsy; Mussulman Gypsy; Nawar; Nawari; Nuar; Zott; Zott Gypsy
Population this Country 36,000
Population all Countries 1,895,000
Total Countries 15
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11597
ROP3 Code 102682
Country Libya
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 3  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Al ‘Aziziyah, north Gharyan, and Tarabulus districts; Northwest coastal area, near Tripoli.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Libya
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 3  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Al ‘Aziziyah, north Gharyan, and Tarabulus districts; Northwest coastal area, near Tripoli..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Romani, Domari in Libya Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Domari (36,000 speakers)
Language Code rmt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Domari (36,000 speakers)
Language Code rmt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Domari

Primary Language:  Domari

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2018-2019)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Domari Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Petar Milošević - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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