Explaining Roma Monotheism as a Dharmic Tradition, Not Evidence of Non-Indic Origins

Explaining Roma Monotheism as a Dharmic Tradition, Not Evidence of Non-Indic Origins

Some of the Roma believe that their ancestors, both in India and after migrating to Europe, were strictly monotheistic, worshipping only Devel/Devla/Del as a single God, and interpret this as evidence of origins outside the Indian subcontinent, perhaps tied to Israelite (as influenced by the Christianity within the host countries), or other non-Indic cultures. However, this belief in one God aligns perfectly with the spiritual traditions of the Indian Subcontinent, particularly within Hinduism and broader Dharmic frameworks. Here’s how Devla reflects the Indic concepts of Param Brahman and the worship of a chosen deity, not a non-Indic monotheism.

1. Understanding Devel in Roma Belief

Romani View: Devel is seen as the supreme, formless God, eternal and all-pervading, often described as beyond human understanding. For many Roma, other figures like Devloro (Little God, linked to Jesus nowadays) or Sara la Kali (nowadays a saint & patron of the Roma) are secondary, with Devel as the ultimate divine power.

Historical Context: After arriving in Europe (circa 525–1000 CE), the Roma adopted Christian practices, which may have reinforced a monotheistic lens, reinterpreting Devel as akin to the Christian (Biblical) God. Some Roma claim this monotheism predates Europe, suggesting non-Indic origins.

2. Connecting Devel to Param Brahman

Hindu Context: In Hinduism, Nirguna Brahman is the ultimate reality—formless, infinite, and beyond description, yet pervading all existence. It is the source of everything, unchanging and eternal, much like how Roma describe Devel. Saguna Brahman is the ultimate reality—manifested as the deities, as well the World and living creatures. Same way the Roma can describe Devel, as well.

Similarity: The Roma’s Devel mirrors Param Brahman’s qualities: a formless entity that transcends human concepts, yet is present in all things, as well the manifested (in Christian context as Trinitarian God or Jesus). Elders’ narratives of Devel as “everywhere and unchangeable” echo Hindu texts like the Upanishads, which call Brahman “the One without a second.”

Evidence: The word Devla comes from the Indic root deva (divine being), linked to Sanskrit and Prakrit, not Hebrew, Arabic, or other non-Indic languages. This linguistic tie roots Devel in India, not elsewhere.

Explanation: Tell Roma that believing in Devel as one God doesn’t mean their ancestors were outside India’s traditions, as India's Dharmic concepts are wide enough to cover the ones which still remain or remained among the Romani traditions until recently. Instead, it reflects how Hindus often focus on Param Brahman as the ultimate truth, seeing all else as its expressions. In other words, this isn’t like Israelite monotheism, which rejects other deities, but a Dharmic way of prioritizing one divine essence.

3. The Dharmic Practice of One Deity (Ishta Devata)

Hindu Practice: In Dharmic traditions, especially Hinduism, devotees often choose one deity (Ishta Devata) to worship as their primary focus, such as Shiva, Vishnu, or Durga, while acknowledging others as aspects of Param Brahman, yet not worshipping them all. This can look like monotheism to outsiders but is part of a pluralistic framework within the Dharmic concepts.

Roma Parallel: The Roma’s emphasis on Devel resembles this practice. Other figures like Devloro (nowadays Jesus) or Sara la Kali (akin to Durga/Kali) are not rivals to Devel but manifestations, much like how Hindus see deities as forms of Brahman. The plural call Devlalé (oh Gods) in some Roma dialects hints at this underlying multiplicity, even if Devel is central. Plus, the Roma who got Christianised chose Jesus as their Saguna Brahman (the manifested Param Brahman in personalised Ishta Devata - Personal Deity).

Historical Shift: In India, the Ḍom ancestors likely revered various deities of the Hindu traditions and called their Ishta Devata simply as Devla/Devel/Del, while also simplifying complex philosophies due to their nomadic, non-literate lifestyle. In Europe, Christian influence may have framed Devel as a singular God, but traces of Dharmic pluralism persist (e.g., venerating Sara la Kali, Virgin Mary, or Kham the Sun, etc.).

Explanation: Share that focusing on Devel is like a Hindu devotee praying to one God, like Shiva, while knowing all deities connect to Brahman. This isn’t a foreign monotheism but a natural part of Dharmic faith, carried by the Roma from India. Stories of Devloro (even various ones, not only Jesus) or Sara la Kali show their ancestors saw Devel in many forms, just as Hindus do.

4. Why This Isn’t Non-Indic Monotheism

Comparison with Israelite Monotheism:

Jewish Belief: In Judaism, God (Yahweh, Adonai, HaShem) is one, exclusive, and prohibits other deities or images (Exodus 20:3). Ritual purity (tum’ah) and covenantal laws (e.g., kosher, Sabbath) are scripturally rigid, tied to Torah.

Roma Difference: Roma Devel allows syncretism (e.g., Devloro as Jesus, Sara la Kali as a saint), reflecting Dharmic flexibility, not Jewish exclusivity. Roma purity (žužo vs bižužo) focuses on cosmic balance (e.g., avoiding horse meat, unclean jobs), mirroring Hindu Jāti norms, not Torah laws. No Roma tradition mentions a covenant, prophets, or a Levantine homeland.

Other Non-Indic Monotheisms:

Islam/Christianity: These reject multiple deities and rely on written scriptures (Qur'an, Bible). Yet Christianity has a concept of Trinitarian God, which can be either misunderstanding of Jesus's words or some surviving part of the European Pagan traditions. Roma Devel worship is oral, lacks dogma, and integrates Christian trinity persons and saints without rejecting Indic roots (e.g., Boľipen from Sanskrit “to immerse”).

Zoroastrianism: While the Ḍom passed through Persia, Zoroastrian monotheism (Ahura Mazda) emphasizes dualism and fire rituals, absent in Roma practices, which favor water, trees, and gold.

Evidence Against Non-Indic Origins:

Linguistics: Romani words (Devel, Boľipen, Ľindraľoľi, Rašaj, Trušul/Trišul) derive from Indic languages, not Hebrew, Arabic, or Greek.

Genetics: Relatively high AASI ancestry links Roma to southern India, not the Levant or elsewhere. Note: Some Levantine-like genetics could been acquired from the Armenians or Assyrians or admixture with the Domari who came to Europe under Ottoman rule or admixture with the Syrians (probably Christians - Arameans) bought as slaves by the Church of Wallachia & Moldova from the Ottomans.

Culture: Practices like Romani Kris (Panchayat-like), caste purity, and Paramisa tales (Benga, Muľe, Ňecuxa, Čohaňa) echo Hindu, Jain, and Adivasi traditions, not Middle Eastern ones.

Explanation: Emphasize that Devel’s oneness fits India’s spiritual world, where Param Brahman is supreme, yet expressed through many forms as Saguna Brahman. Unlike Jewish or Islamic Gods, Devel welcomes other figures (Devloro, Kham, Rukh, Čhon), showing a Hindu-style unity-in-diversity, not a foreign monotheism. The Roma’s journey through Christian lands shaped Devel’s image, but its roots stay Indic.

5. Reframing the Pride in Indic Roots

Celebrate Continuity: The believing in Devel connects Roma to the Ḍom (and other Indic, as the Ḍom aren't sole ancestors of the Roma People) ancestors, who carried India’s wisdom across continents. This is a source of pride, linking them to vibrant Dharmic cultures, not a sign of origins elsewhere.

Historical Context: I acknowledge that some Roma might see Devel as non-Indic: in Europe, claiming monotheism helped the Roma to blend easier with Christian societies during persecution. But this was an adaptation, not proof of Israelite or other roots.

6. Conclusion

The Roma’s belief in Devel/Devla/Del as one God doesn’t point to origins outside India but reflects the heart of Dharmic spirituality. Like Hindus focusing on Param Brahman or one deity, the ancestors revered Devel as supreme, yet saw it in many forms. This flexible, syncretic oneness, backed by linguistics, genetics, and culture, ties Roma firmly to India, not Israelite or other non-Indic roots. By embracing Devel as the link to a rich Indic heritage, we can celebrate our unique journey with pride and clarity.