Roma are members of all the religions
that can be found in Kosovo. Most of them are Muslims, followed by
Orthodox and Catholic Christians. Recently people have also joined
Protestant free churches. Besides large number of Sunnites, Roma have
been followers of the Dervish movement for a long time. They are considered
to be Shiites, and the prophet they follow is called Hasret Ali. There
were Dervish centres in Mitrovica, Prizren and Pec. The Rufai order
is well known among the Dervishes. Several ecstatic rituals are practised
by that order, while the order of the Halveti has specialised in healing
ceremonies. In the celebrations of the different congregations, it
becomes obvious that the Roma practise religious tolerance. Traditions
and festivals of one denomination are observed and celebrated by members
of different faiths.The most important pilgrimage in Kosovo, marking
the Assumption of theVirgin
|
Mary, is celebratedon15th August in Letnica. As long
as one week before that, thousands of Roma, mostly Muslims, camp on
the mountain side, whose summit is the site of the Catholic chapel
dedicated to the Madonna. There the people speak to the mother of
Christ about their sorrows and wishes or fulfil vows. In August 2000,
Muslim refugees from Kosovo came to the Cologne Cathedral on this
day to light candles in front of the altar of Mary. The miracle-working
grave (Türbe) of a Muslim sage is also visited by Christians. The
spring festival of the Roma in the beginning of May - the "Day of
St. George" (Serbian), "Shengjergji" (Albanian) or "Herdelesi" (Romanes)
is celebrated together in a very colourful way. The beautiful and
large Roma mosque in Dubrave (near Urosevac), which was built and
financed by the Roma a few years ago, gives witness to the religiousness
of the Roma.
|
