Zargari people

The Zargari people are a Romani-related ethnic group deriving from Zargar, Iran and neighboring villages. They speak a distinct Zargari dialect of the Romany language, most closely related to those of Rumelia. Historical documentation of their origins is lacking, but one seemingly-accurate tradition traces their origins to three brothers, goldsmiths (Persian: زرگر‎‎, zargar), who were brought from Ottoman-held Rumelia as hostages during the reign of Nader Shah (1736-1747), and given pasture lands as a reward for their skills. As Romani, they were also exempted from taxation and military service. A late-19th century travel guide provides the only historical mention of the 'Zargari tribe', describing their propensity to road-piracy.

Although the Zargari once consisted of several clans, most of these have dispersed and lost their native language. The residents of Zargar predominantly belong to the Pāsālār clan.

See also

• Zargari language

References

Hassan Rezai Baghbibi, "The Zargari language: An endangered European Romani in Iran", Romani Studies, vol. 13, pp. 123–148 (2003).[1]