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Shinari
Posts:150
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| 15 Apr 2008 14:20 |
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Hi everyone,
I'm excited to share with you all lovely people that our old home (http://romaoldways.18.forumer.com) has moved on to another home! We have moved to accommodate to our growing needs and the needs of the world.
**** Little History ****
When my family first came online, we did it under the blessing of our elders. We believe it is time to show the world who we are. I know that we took many Roma and Gadje by surprise because all of a sudden, there was this Romani culture that was very different to anything that anyone had read or studied before.
Along our online journey, we have had all sorts of experiences! Some good, some bad, but we are still here... continuing to add a little light and love to the world through the uniqueness of our Romani old ways culture.
For those who thought we would disappear from the face of the world. I'm sorry, we have been around for thousands of years, and we'll continue to be around until only Duvvel says we must move into the other side. But even then, we'll still be around in our Spirit bodies. :D
**** Back to the Present ****
The Roma Old Ways network was developed to cater to growing needs of our community and to fulfill our mission. We hope that our culture will inspire you to become actively involved in Romani human rights issues, eco-justice and a growing understanding on how vast and diverse the Romani race is!
Roma Old Ways is a family oriented community. We meet each other in love, respect and honour of our individual uniqueness. We try and see each other with the eyes of God, not looking on the outside, but looking inside. Hence, we believe in building meaningful relationships, because that's what it's all about, isn't it?
Our Romani old ways culture is founded on our relationship with each other, Earth and Spirit.
Our Roma Old Ways network is also a strong advocate against CYBERBULLIES. We have zero tolerance for CYBERBULLIES, so if you are thinking of joining for negative reasons, please, don't even go there. The worldly laws are finally catching up with the internet technologies and we will honestly do our best to bring the force of the law on any form of harassment and abuse.
In times past, we have had other Roma join our group just to obtain information from our culture, twist it, and claim it is false, fake, evil, wrong, blah blah blah. We strongly encourage open communication and honesty. We work in the open, and we hope that other Roma are bold enough to come to us with your disagreements. We are happy and joyful individuals and we don't focus on the negative, and I'm sure that any such confrontation will result in us being good friends!!! :D
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Shinari
Posts:150
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| 15 Apr 2008 15:36 |
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Because we believe in social justice, I want to address an issue here that weighs heavily on my heart.
There have been people from this board, in times past, I'm not sure if theyare still here... who through your threats and harassment have pushed people away from here who do not follow your prejudiced views of what a Rom should be like.
Why is there so much fear that there are Roma who still follow the old ways or even different ways to yours? Most of us feel nostalgic about the old ways, and when there are Roma who come along who claim to be followers of the old ways, we are accused of being fake, evil, godless, and stirrers of trouble. These are the same accusations our ancestors received from Gadje, no? Are you reflecting the abuser? This psychological trait of reflecting the abuser is common amongst indigenous peoples, and if you are one of these people who have suffered so much that you spew the hatred that is given to you, my heart goes out to you!
You must be hurting so much inside, and I wish I could give you a hug and hold you until you felt that my love and care is genuine, that it comes from the depth of my being.
[b]I felt very timid about sharing our new community here[/b] because most of the attacks we have received in the past came from members in this board and from members in myspace. I have nothing against this board, the founders of this board, and other members of this board. I wouldn't be here if I did. :D But I do have something against those people who cannot see past their closed minded hatred.
I don't want to change you mind. Only God can do that. But I want to share these facts for you and others who are interested in this subject:
1. Our old ways Romani culture has never claimed to be the [i]only[/i] True Way. In fact, those of us who follow the True Gypsy Way know that this Way is a personal journey. [b]What our culture provides is a FRAMEWORK to find our True Way.[/b]
2. For those researches of the Romani race and its cultures, who have claimed we do not exist because you have never come across us in real life. I ask you, have you come across your kidneys? Have you seen your kidneys? No? If not, then does that mean your kidneys do not exist? Hehehehe
A child, in their infancy, can be tricked to believe that what is out sight is out of mind. This is what we did to the world. Like ALL of your ancestors, our ancestors suffered extreme persecution. And our families continue to suffer extreme persecution in Russia, Romania and Ireland (and now, on the internet too!).
Our trick was to pretend not to exist. We went through thorough measures [i]not[/i] to have our culture discovered. Our family members who are in Russia, Romania and Ireland still continue to play the hiding game today.
For those researches who never came across us. What makes you think that we wanted you to find us? I assure you all, our culture has never ever been researched or studied by Gadje or Roma. [b]And we believe that the best way for you to get to know our culture, is by getting to know us - personally. Our culture cannot be put under the microscope and clinically analysed... you will never find the centre of our culture, and that is, Spirit.[/b]
3. Yes, our culture claims many beliefs that are seen as UNSCIENTIFIC. But guess what? And I'm sure that Christians here will understand this... do you really care that even until today, there are many who believe that your faith is unscientific? Does it really matter when your faith is everything that makes you?
Over the span of hundreds, and in some cases thousands of years, science is catching up with the truths of the Christian faith. Maybe one day societies will catch up to the truths [i]we[/i] speak about. Who knows? Do we really care? Never have, and I don't think we ever will care. [b]BUT! This is the point: It hurts us when you claim we are fake and evil. Very real hands, and very real mind, created this post. We are not your screen. We are flesh and blood, with emotions and feelings. Please, if you do have something against us, try and address it as mature adults, not as petty children would.[/b]
So let me tell you all, we will continue supporting our beliefs in our community. Despite what others say. We believe what we believe and it is our beliefs. They are not yours, and they may also not be what your ancestors believed. That is okay. It doesn't mean we are any less real for not believing as what others believe! This is common sense, right?
I hope that things will change amongst Roma for the better. I hope we can continue to developing loving connections, both on the internet and in real life. My wife and I are very open to meeting people in real life. And for those who want to get away from their countries, we are beginning to set up a real life organisation to help refugees, immigrants and indigenous peoples. Our organisation is supported by ADRA (Adventist Development Relief Agency), and we mean for it to grow into a strong and well respected organisation.
It is time to show the internet world that Roma are not a bunch of quibbling, snotty, closed minded lot, but that we are one of the most beautiful and diverse races on Earth!
Out of most races in the world, the Romani culture is one of the most diverse. It is time we accepted our differences and united in Spirit, and if you are an atheist, we united in our humanity.
In Light, Love and Honour of your life expression,
Shinari |
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Bajan
Posts:359
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| 17 Apr 2008 04:11 |
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Hey there Shinari,
Lifted my spirits to remember and see your name this morning.
Hope you and yours are well and enjoying life.
Must start my work-day now.
Sending sunny smiles and soft, irridescent light your way,
Celina
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Shinari
Posts:150
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| 17 Apr 2008 18:13 |
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| Hi Bajan, goooooooooood to see you around brother! :D Long time no see. I hope to catch up some time! |
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Think positively. Act positively. And leave no fingerprints. |
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Shinari
Posts:150
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| 17 Apr 2008 19:10 |
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*** OFFER FOR ROMA AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ***
Hi everyone! My website will continue to expand and develop as a growing community. At the moment we are looking for authors who have written material about their culture and even spirituality.
Please let me know by emailing at: shinari@romaoldways.net
You don't need to be good at spelling or grammar to have your articles posted in our site. If you have something to say, we can give you a little help to put together a quality article.
When I say article, I mean anything from 1 - 50 pages long. It can be written in any style, by anyone. We are giving the opportunity here, for people who have something to say, who want to lift their voices, to have their worked published in a quality Romani site.
Free services for the free world! :D |
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Bajan
Posts:359
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| 18 Apr 2008 12:18 |
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Thanks Shinari... I'm a sister tho, hee hee... hope to "surf" to the your new website this weekend. Seeya there!
Hello Smithy,
Hmm... I know an English gypsy who is a pagan and considers himself a druid... he speaks Roma and I've seen him in the company of many other gypsies. Hope you enjoy your weekend.
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Shinari
Posts:150
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| 18 Apr 2008 17:09 |
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Bajan... I used to do that before, didn't I? Call you bro! DOHHH!!!! Sowwy. *blushes and surfs off*
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Think positively. Act positively. And leave no fingerprints. |
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