GOING TO HETEA…(near Brasov): opening project to community of Forest Gypsies, known by their Romani label “Khashtalo”. The Khashtalo (woodworkers) are a specific Roma group that can be found living between the stream (their water source) and forest (their gardens and workshops); they are the poorest and most disadvantaged of Romania’s Roma. From the Romanian point of view they are “tzigani” - living like “savages”, “alongside the beast of the forest” - while Roma society holds them in contempt for having lost the use of the Romani language and traditions; they and characterized as foolish, uncivilized and physically, morally and spiritually polluted. As a result they hold the lowest rank upon Romanian-Roma hierarchal tribal system – they are the “untouchables”. We have been warned by Roma and Romanians alike to not go in; nevertheless we’re going in – all the way in…. We’re not humanitarian – we are mere partners bringing our brains to rest alongside their brains and together make something positive, something real and lasting. More news on our developments in Hetea to follow….
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:50:00 +0000
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