Serbian Gypsy Narrative: Between Preferred and True Identity

This paper discusses the narration of a Serbian Gypsy who adopted Serbian ethnic identity. Still today in Serbia, Gypsy culture remains in the oral form. Their narratives tell as much about their present as about their past. Several themes underlying the discussion about Gypsy ethnic flexibility are explored: their position in relation to non-Gypsies, the way they perceive it; varying attitudes about ethnicity within Gypsy communities in contrast with personal experiences of a Gypsy who adopted Serbian identity; and the evolving nature of Gypsy identities.