The Ashkali (), otherwise known as Hashkali () and/or Balkan Egyptians (; ; ), are Albanian and Slavic-speaking and (mainly) Muslim ethnic cultural minorities (recognized communities), which mainly inhabit Kosovo and southern Serbia, Prior to the Kosovo War of 1999, the Balkan Egyptians or Ashkali people registered themselves as Albanians. While some Ashkali speak Romani, Egyptians do not. The two groups are not clearly delineated. Though they differ linguistically and culturally from the Roma, they have often been grouped together under the acronym RAE (Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians).

History of the Balkan Egyptians

The origins of the Balkan Egyptians are obscure, but some Balkan historians trace the origin of Balkan Egyptians to the Iron Age, citing vague references in Herodotus of the presence of Khener, an Ancient Egyptian dance group in the region. They also attribute archaeological structures in the area, notably in modern Ohrid and Bitola, as temples of the Goddess Isis, but the Mysteries of Isis was widespread in the Greco-Roman world.; other versions are that after the Ottoman–Egyptian invasion of Mani, Egyptian soldiers went to Albania. However, historians maintain that during the Ottoman era the Balkan Egyptians and other Balkan Roma were part of a single community that was called by the Ottomans Kıbti (literally 'Copts'), reflecting the same group encompassed by the English ethnonym for the Roma ("Gypsies"). They see the alternate origins as part of a larger phenomenon whereby groups such as the Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians, as part of an effort to achieve greater civil emancipation and to escape anti-Roma prejudice, made an effort to separate themselves from other Roma and constructed a novel history for their peoples.

A 14th-century reference to a placename (Агѹповы клѣти, Agupovy klěti) in the Rila Charter of Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria was thought by some authors, such as Konstantin Josef Jireček, to be related to the Balkan Egyptians.

In 1990, an Egyptian association was formed in Ohrid, which was attended by representatives from different Balkan countries.

History of Ashkali

The origin of the Ashkali remains scientifically unexplained. The Ashkali community leaders have constructed a few narratives. According to the Persian narrative, the Ashkali people originated in Persia in the 4th century. According to the Italian narrative, which is based on folk etymology, they are colonists from ancient Rome. According to the Semitic narrative, originated in the town Ashkelon in Biblical Palestine.

The Ashkali were aligned with Albanians before, during and after the Kosovo war. The Ashkali and Roma claim the Egyptians as their own; whereas the Ashkali and Egyptians dispute over each other's background.

Circumcision celebrations of their sons are organized by the Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians.

See also

  • Albanians in Egypt
  • Copts
  • Doma (caste)
  • Doms in Egypt
  • Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo
  • Egyptian Liberal Party
  • Romani people in Kosovo

Notes

References

Cited works

  • Dragan Novaković, Potomci faraona u Srbiji, DT Magazin, 4. April 1998.
  • NEW ETHNIC IDENTITIES IN THE BALKANS: THE CASE OF THE EGYPTIANS
  • Differences of prejudices and collective blames toward to the Balkan’s Egyptians
  • Egjiptianëve Kosovarë
  • Union of Balkan's Egyptians
  • The New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo (Iniciativa e re Demokrarike e Kosovës)
  • New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo, based in Switzerland
  • Minority Rights Group
  • Ashkali flag at FAME