resande

Resande is a term used chiefly in Sweden and some Nordic contexts to refer to Romani people who historically led itinerant or semi-nomadic lives. The word comes from resa, meaning “to travel.” In modern usage many people and organizations prefer Roma or Romani to denote the ethnic group; resande can carry historical or stigmatizing connotations and is sometimes considered outdated.

Historically, Romani groups arrived in Europe in the late Middle Ages. In Sweden they have lived there for centuries and have experienced discrimination and efforts at assimilation. The term resande has been used to describe diverse Romani subgroups associated with travelling, but identities have become more distinct in contemporary discourse.

In Sweden, Roma is recognized as one of the national minorities under the Act on National Minorities and Minority Language Rights. This status provides protections and supports for language transmission, culture, and political representation. The Romani language, Romani chib, is spoken by some groups in contact with Swedish, though many Roma are bilingual in Swedish and Romani or Swedish only.

Today many Roma are settled, but some still travel or engage in itinerant work, while others pursue various careers. Contemporary concerns include discrimination, integration, and the preservation of language and culture. Public policy and civil society organizations work to protect rights, document history, and promote inclusion.