BalkanEgyptiansand Gypsy/Roma Discourse

In: Nationalities papers: the journal of nationalism and ethnicity, Volume 33, Issue 1, p. 71-95

Abstract

Since the 1990s, yet another entity has emerged among the wide range of groups and minorities in the Balkans attracting the attention of politicians, scholars and the public. Known as "Egypcani" in Macedonia and Kosovo, or as "Jevgs/Jevgits" in Albania, these Albanophone Muslims are usually identified as Albanianised "Gypsies" by the societies in which they live, although they consider themselves to be descendents of Egyptian immigrants to the Balkans. Today, BalkanEgyptiansare officially recognised as a distinct population group in the Republic of Macedonia, while they enjoy political influence through representative and cultural organisations in Kosovo and Albania.