#domari

Domari family sitting in a tent near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, Palestine, circa 1920

Domari migrants from Syria. From the Turkish photography book "Alttakiler - Fotoğraf Albümü", 2016

Domari women dancing in Jerusalem, Palestine, photographed by Elia Kahvedijan, ca. 1920s

When they left India, the people called Roma spread throughout Europe, whereas the others, called Dom, migrated to the Middle East. They now live in Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt.Two stories recount how the Dom migrated to Palestine 400 years ago. According to the first, they reached Jerusalem with Saladin whom they served as servants, blacksmiths, and soldiers. During the Saladin era, the Dom were famous blacksmiths who produced spears and horseshoes. They were also well-known as horse breeders. These two crafts earned Dom society its important status in the eyes of the world. Another account claims that the Dom migrated to Palestine during the Ottoman era and were welcomed for their skills in horse breeding and valued as able blacksmiths. They merged with the local people, adopted the Muslim faith, and began to speak Arabic. Even though accurate statistics are lacking, it is believed that more than 2,000,000 Dom live in the Middle East. They identify themselves as Dom, which means “man” in Domari, while the local Arab population in Jerusalem calls them nawar. Approximately 200 Dom families reside near Lion’s Gate, behind the ancient walls of the Old City, and in Shu’fat Refugee Camp. Fifty percent of their families are headed by women. While larger populations live in Gaza and the West Bank, many Dom families from Jerusalem now live in Jordan, having fled during and after the Six-Day War of 1967. While prior generations of Dom were nomadic, holding occupations such as blacksmiths, horse dealers, musicians, dancers, and animal healers, other Dom people have lived a sedentary lifestyle for more than 100 years.

Nothing's set in stone. To fates unknown. The Sparcs are a Supernatural Special Victims Unit; think ‘What if the Big Bad Wolf arrested Ted Bundy?’ One predator in human skin locks up another, policing the Hollow Hills, an Underground Railroad for Monsters on the run. There are two kinds of Vampires for each hemisphere, Western and Eastern. Western Bat Vamps, Undead Airborne, loathe and abhor the Sun; Living Earthbound, Snakes of the East, bask in Sunlight along River veins. Whereas Bat Vamps are embodiments of toxic masculinity, Snake Vamps are Demonizations of feminism - 'What knight of Valor would rescue a Dragon Lady in distress? Who'd believe a cold-blooded predator by nature could be preyed upon or thirst for warmth and intimacy?' Nagas, the Snakes of India, rose up, became their own knights, liberated their brothel and turned it into a rescue shelter they call the 'Sea of Green' (Yes, like the Beatles) to save survivors of human trafficking. But this Durga Puja, Hindu Thanksgiving, an old foe from the Nagas' past will return. A young Snake Girl named Valery Bhrounóm- 'Strong Scale'- a Cadet of the Sparcs, will need to conjure all her family's Venom of Venus to save the home she never got to grow up in. And head's up, this time around, not everyone might make it out alive... #HollowHills #Thanksgiving #YearoftheSnake #Naga #Lamia #Lamashtu #Romani #halestorm #Carmenamaya

Please share this whether you donate or not, it could mean life or death for Dom under occupation. May we all see a day where our people are safe. Te aven baxtalo 💙❤️💚