Official estimates by IBGE put Brazil's Romani population between 800,000 and a million, but leaders and activists say the real number is higher. Many Romani live in the outskirts of Greater São Paulo in camps or informal housing. In Itaim Paulista around 250 people live in one of the region's oldest Romani camps. Magda Santos, who became Romani by marriage, says customs vary and not all families follow the same practices.
The majority in these peripheral areas belong to the Calon ethnicity; other groups in Brazil include the Roma and the Sinti. Nicolas Ramanush, president of the NGO Romani Embassy of Brazil in Santo André, explains that each group has its own customs and that Sintis were heavily affected by Nazism and the Holocaust.
Living in tents and without a stable address causes concrete problems: children struggle with education, families face barriers to health care, and floods can destroy tents and food. Activists say inclusion in the census and official recognition are necessary to reduce prejudice and improve access to rights. They also support Bill 3547 of 2015 to teach Romani culture and history in schools, but the bill has made little progress.
Difficult words
- culture — The ideas and customs of a group.
- discrimination — Unfair treatment of a group of people.
- community — A group of people living together.communities
- education — The process of learning and teaching.
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Discussion questions
- How can communities support the Romani people more effectively?
- What role does education play in reducing stigma?
- Why is recognition important for marginalized communities?
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