Copppersmiths

Other work, another profession among Rroma, closely related to metal work is tinning caldrons and pots. This profession, taken-up and still  practised nowadays by some Rroma groups is found mostly in the Balkan, in Romania and in Hungary. The best known among them are the Kelderara or Kalderaša whose name comes from Romanian - caldarar/caldaraš, a caldron maker. One can still find gifted artisans among them. The technology and methodology of this profession is the same among all Rroma groups and in all countries and also involves some basic knowledge in chemicals. This is to say that the technology is not as primitive as one might think. But these Rroma realise it using primitive instruments and techniques. One also has to add that the work is not done on stationary forges but that these tinkers travel from village to village with all their instruments and each time set-up their work-place.


Among Rroma - mostly in Romania - one also finds rather primitive jewellers (In Rromanes ardžintari from the Romanian word argintar, a man working with silver). They retrieve their metal from old silver coins and jewels sold to them by the local population.

copyright: Opre