- Kawliya
The Kawliya or Qawliya (
Arabic ,كاولية or كاولي) are a small Roma minority inIraq . "Qawliya" means "gypsy" in Arabic. The Qawliya are known for their dancers and music. They trace their roots toSpain andIndia and made Iraq their home almost 150 years ago.Many of the Qawliya live in poor tribal areas between the
Tigris andEuphrates rivers.The Qawliya dance is usually played with the Iraqi Chobi style of music. The dancers dress in bright colored dresses and spin their long hair to charm the space in which they perform.
The Qawliya had some protection living under the rule of
Saddam Hussein as they supplied alcohol, dancers and prostitutes for eliteBa'ath parties. Since the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003 it has been difficult for Iraq's Qawliya population to seek autonomy and safety. Some of the poorest Qawliya areas, known for their red light districts, became easy targets for religious militia groups. Many of their villages have been destroyed or taken over by such militias, and this has forced Qawliya to flee to the north. One of these destroyed villages was itself called Qawliya, located about 100 miles southeast ofBaghdad . [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A46446-2004Apr2?language=printer In a Gypsy Village's Fate, An Image of Iraq's Future.] "TheWashington Post ". April 3, 2004. Report about the raiding and destruction of the village Qawliya in Iraq.]The fate of the Qawliya is unknown since many Iraqis view them as second class citizens.Fact|date=April 2007
See also
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Minority politics in Iraq References
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