Romani Ethnic Identity Through Instrumentalist and Constructivist Theoretical Framework

In this article the concept of ethnic identity has been discussed over Romani as one of the ethnic groups in Turkey, within the theoretical framework of constructivism and instrumentalism. Being a Romani is perpetually reconstructed with discriminatory discourse and treatment by the dominant group in society. In the social background of this reconstruction specific interest groups in labour market are situated. The persistent reconstruction of negative stereotype towards Romani puts them away from the labour market and prompts them to be informal, cheap and temporary labour force. Romani labour force as being a cheap and temporary labour force reconstructs their lifestyle as poverty, passing down from one generation to the other. Therefore, as a collective identity, being Romani is related with the demand for right which aims at the maintenance of the limited sources owned by the ethnic group. Romani collective identity, as a result, has instrumentalist characteristic which is activated by the demand for citizen rights. It gains emotional content with the emphasis on tradition as part of shared benefits. As an individual identity, being a Romani, similar to collective identity, has instrumentalist characteristic; it may be prominent as part of the individual benefits or it may be disregarded