Muslim Cemetery and Roman Cemeteries in Kumanova

Abstract

The Romans, or Gypsy as widely called within the public, are one of the ethnical groups of the Ottoman Empire. Due to their different way of life, as in the present, Romans were excluded by most cultures in the past, and they took refuge to Ottomans. Today some Romans live in Kumanova, located on Greece-Serbia highway on Macedonia's border with Serbia. According to Macedonian official data; Romans have a population of 4256 people and regard themselves as Turks and Muslims. Romans, learnt Turkish and converted to Islam while living within the Ottoman borders, continue to communicate in Turkish with each other and to follow certain Turkish tradition in daily life even today. They have been adhering to Turkish-Islamic cemetery traditions for centuries, too. Romans regard themselves as representatives of Ottomans. Kumanova Roman cemetery is one of the most typical Roman cemeteries at Balkans. Kumanova Roman cemetery is full of both old and new graves and both the old graves and the new ones were built in accordance with Turkish-Islamic traditions. In this notice entitled 'Kumanova Roman Tombstones' changes for gravestones based upon political shifts of the region will be submitted to whom it may concern.