Portuguese Romani in Portugal

The Portuguese Romani have only been reported in Portugal
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

In their homeland of India, they were originally called Dom, meaning man. Later, Dom developed into Rom. Today, they prefer to be called Romani in Europe; but in the Middle East and North Africa, many still refer to themselves as 'Dom' or 'Domi'. Here, the term 'Dom' will be used for this people group found in the Middle East, and 'Romani' will be used as a general, more recognizable designation for the larger people group. There are many fascinating folk tales about their origins that are still passed down from generation to generation.

Originally coming from India, the Romani are now scattered throughout the world. Little is known today about the lives of the 2 to 3 million Dom who live in European countries. This is largely due to the closed communities they maintain. Too often Dom people hide their identity on purpose from government workers. They do this to protect themselves, but it also keeps them marginalized wherever they live.

Today, communities of Romani are located in the Middle East, the Americas and Europe. For example, there are Romani people in Portugal who speak Portuguese, but are culturally different. The first Romani arrived in Portugal in the late 1400s. They were not given legal status until 1822. More Romani came to Portugal later in that century.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In Portugal the Romani people have been active in professional sports, the arts and music. Most are involved with the informal economy as street venders and entertainers. They have a bad reputation for being involved with crime.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Romani people tend to adopt the dominant religion of their host country, so many Romani people in Portugal would consider themselves Catholic. Romani people usually consider religion a personal matter, and they are hesitant to talk about it with anyone, especially outsiders. Superstition and "the good elements" of many religious systems make up the nature of their beliefs. Spiritism is dominant in their thinking as to why things happen in the world. They strongly fear evil spirits and curses. Romani fortunetellers offer to make clients a potion that will ward off curses.


What Are Their Needs?

In almost all of the countries they live in, their rudimentary command of the local language and limited use of written documents have contributed to their political powerlessness. Some who have settled are in transition, as they seek to become a part of the social systems around them. In an effort to fit in, they may abandon the traditional clothing, tattooing, dancing and fortune telling that are part of the Romani lifestyle. They may even deny their ethnic identity.

Regardless of their efforts to assimilate into the mainstream society, the Romani rarely have official status or citizenship in their country of residence. Their efforts to remain anonymous often leaves them without an official birth certificate or any other essential ID. The concept of owning land is not inherent to the nomadic Romani world view, and they find it difficult to adjust to such an outlook. Few families own the plots of land on which they locate their settlements or camps. Therefore, they are often subjected to forced relocation.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to direct Romani leaders to lead their people into ways of life that benefit all people concerned.

Pray for Romani people to understand the supremacy of Christ, who is far above any "good" elements of existing religious systems.

Pray for the Lord to thrust out Christ’s ambassadors who can earn their trust and lead them to the cross.

Pray that soon Romani disciples will make more disciples.

Pray for the Lord to use nomadic Romani people as preachers of the Word of God and disciplers.


Scripture Prayers for the Romani, Portuguese in Portugal.


References

Middle East Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_people_in_Portugal

https://dbpedia.org/page/Romani_people_in_Portugal


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Romani, Portuguese
People Name in Country Romani, Portuguese
Natural Name Portuguese Romani
Pronunciation ROH-muh-nee
Alternate Names Gypsy
Population this Country 73,000
Population all Countries 73,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 14450
ROP3 Code 108132
ROP25 Code 307029
ROP25 Name Romani
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread; also, Azores and Madeira autonomous regions.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread; also, Azores and Madeira autonomous regions..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
90.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Portuguese (73,000 speakers)
Language Code por   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Portuguese (73,000 speakers)
Language Code por   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Portuguese

Primary Language:  Portuguese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1505-2004)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1681-2004)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1751-2017)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus film: view in Portuguese Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Pedro Ribeiro Simões - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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