The Dom (or Domi) of the Middle East are part of the larger Roma (or Gypsies) ethnic group. They might also be related to the Domba people of India. They have a rich oral tradition and express their culture and history through music, poetry and dance.

Their estimated population of 2.2 million is primarily spread across parts of Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran. The actual population, however, is thought to be higher as some Dom are excluded from national census and others label themselves in national terms rather than as Dom. Nowadays, they speak the dominant languages of their larger societies, but Domari, their national language, continues to be spoken by more insular communities.

External links

• Dom Research Center

Roma ethnic groups | Ethnic groups in Egypt | Ethnic groups in India | Ethnic groups in Iran | Ethnic groups in Iraq | Ethnic groups in Israel | Ethnic groups in Turkey | African nomads | Eurasian nomads