Introduction / History

The Armenian Bosha, also known by the endonym Lom, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group closely related to the Roma people of Europe and the Dom people of the Middle East. The Lom migrated to Armenia from Northern India in the 10th-11th centuries and have historically inhabited the areas of historical Armenia such as Anatolia and the Caucasus. The Banjara people of Northern India are said to be a related group due to linguistic and cultural similarities with the Lom. The Lom speak the hybrid Lomavren language which combines Indo-Aryan and Armenian linguistic features. The Armenian Bosha community was largely nomadic before the 20th century and was known for flour pot production. The community assimilated into Armenian culture. Armenian Bosha were targeted during the Armenian genocide of 1915 which caused a heavy population decline leading the group to almost go extinct. Nevertheless, Armenian Bosha have survived to this day and remain an important minority in Armenia.

Where Are they Located?

Presently, they are concentrated in the Armenian cities of Yerevan and Gyumri as well as the Shaumyan region of Nagorno-karabakh. Lom minorities also exist in Georgia and Turkey. The Georgian Lom community is highest in The community is most numerous in Akhalkalaki and the Turkish Lom community is highest in Artvin and Rize. The Kond neighborhood in Yerevan has the highest concentration of Armenian Bosha in Armenia proper.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Lom are known for being leather sieve makers and have mostly assimilated into Armenian society. Armenian Bosha usually live in working class areas and mix Armenian traditions with their own.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Armenian Bosha in the Caucasus mostly follow the Armenian Apostolic Church. The process of the Christianization of the Armenian Bosha occurred in the 16th century. However due to the Armenian genocide and modern persecution, the Armenian Bosha in Turkey have mostly converted to Islam. The initial religion of the Lom people is unknown.

Prayer Items

Scripture Prayers for the Romani, Armenian Bosha in Armenia.

References

1. Marushiakova, Elena and Vesselin Popov. 2016. Gypsies of Central Asia and Caucasus. London: Palgrave Macmillan pp. 70-71.
2. Balyan, Varduhi. 2017. Lom or Bosha people from past to present. Turkey: Agos Newspaper
3. Vesselin Popov. The Gypsies (Dom – Lom – Rom) in Georgia January 2014. Conference: Annual Meeting of the Gypsy Lore Society and Conference on Romani Studies-University of St. Andrews
4. Scala, Andrea. 2014. The mixed language of the Armenian Bosha (Lomavren) and its inflectional morphology. University of Milan.
5. Kendrick, Donald. 2004. Gypsies: from the Ganges to the Thames. Univ of Hertfordshire Press. pp 75-87