The Customary Identity of the Coppersmiths Clan in Oltenia: Between Tradition and Modernity

Abstract The coppersmiths’ uniqueness as a Roma clan is given by their traditional crafting legacy, as they themselves acknowledge. They are one of the more conservative Roma clans. Encouraged by their previous nomadic lifestyle, it hasn’t allowed them to blend with other clans or populations. Mixed marriages are forbidden and marriages with members of other Roma clans are rare. The aim of this study is to identify the elements that define the ethnic identity of the coppersmiths clan, to analyse the features that make out the coppersmiths’ customary identity, and to measure the self-segregation tendencies within the coppersmiths ethnic group. The main research methods were: bibliographic documentation, direct observation, field inquiries (structured interviews), and digital mapping. The research concluded the following: the coppersmiths are one of the extreme conservative clans, which have maintained their customary identity. The tendency of self-segregation is a direct consequence of their resistance towards anything modern, and the members of the coppersmiths clan believe that acting like the majority of society will only lead to the loss of their own identity. The consequences are mostly negative, e.g. poor school enrolment, marrying at an early age, an absence from modern socio-economic activities, etc.