Construction of romany identity - some aspects of the construction of Romanipen and its variability in time

This study deals with several aspects of the construction of Romani identity. It is focused on ways of the Romani identity construction and its bases. Romani identity is conceived as a relation of Roma to their neighboring Romani or non-Romani groups, which is based on the perception of socially significant cultural differences. The paper considers common cultural elements that serve as bases for construction of particular Romany identities, as well as concrete examples of Romani communities and their specific manners of romanipen construction. The study also deals with the relation between culture and ethnic identity and their variability in time. It answers the question, if due to changes in Romani culture the Romani identity disappears gradually or persists. By two interviews with young Roma living in Prague, the paper shows a current form of Romani identity within present urban society.