Perception: Roma feel no connection to the history or culture of the country in which they live.
Reality: In many places, Roma communities have been settled for decades, if not centuries. These communities often form identities that are tied to both their heritage and the cultures and histories of their host countries. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, Tito is an important historical figure for many Roma. Yugonostalgia is common among older generations of Roma as Yugoslavia is remembered as a country of relative equality and unity for all. Histories of war also span all divides.
The Čengalović Family:
husband Ramiz (71) and wife Saliha (66)
Ramiz: “We live in the village Očice on the land of my grandfathers. I have always lived here, as did my father and my grandfather. I worked my whole life. When I was 19, I got a job at a utility company called Gorica and that is where I earned my retirement. But that was not my only job. I also worked as a mason and a carpenter. I lived a nice life. When I was 23, I married my Saliha. She was such a beauty. We fell in love immediately. It truly was love at first sight. She was from a nice family, well raised and smart. I knew we would have a good life together. But there were difficult times when we had to work hard and build. We built two houses and connected them to water and electricity. Then, with children came responsibilities, but love and respect kept us together. Our four children are good people, honest and educated. One of our sons and his wife live in the house next door to us. Our other children are abroad in Germany and America. They have good lives. No one looks down on them because they are Roma. They are equal to everyone else. That’s how it was in Tito’s Yugoslavia. We all respected one another. We were brothers and sisters. That was the good life back then. Out of love and respect for Tito, his picture has always hung on our wall. Before and after the war. And I told my children it should remain there as a reminder of those good times. We really love Tito. For us, he is worthy of respect and admiration.”