Indigenous People in Germany

There are 3 indigenous that I have identified in Germany, and they are Roma, Sinta and Sorbs or Sorbian.

Roma are people that are associated as gypsies. It is a taboo to talk about Sinta and Roma in Europe, and one can be arrested if they spread rumours. There are limited information about them on the internet and different sources states different details, and henceforth, they are not credible.

However, the existence of Sinta and Roma in Germany might also be hidden from the Germans, which is why they are not allowed to say anything about it. With the unknown situation, Sorbs would be the only indigenous group that I would discuss.

What are indigenous people? “Indigenous peoples are people, communities, and nations who claim a historical continuity and cultural affinity with societies endemic to their original territories that developed prior to exposure to the larger connected civilization associated with Western culture. These societies therefore consider themselves distinct from societies of the majority culture/s that have contested their cultural sovereignty and self-determination.” (Answers.com, 2010)

Just an introduction about the Sorbs, and if you are interested to visit them:





The Sorbs reside in Lusatia in Germany. In the past, they were being forced to erase their identity and be assimilated. However, situations improved and not only can Sorbs keep their own identity, the Germans are also helping them revive their culture. This is done so by “preserving Sorbian national culture in the genres of music, dance, literature and the fine arts, and Sorbian and German amateur artists have worked closely together to develop this culture.”


Competitions and workshops are also organized by Institute for Sorbian National Culture and the Sorbian National Ensemble to promote their culture. Such workshops and competitions include Sorbs’ song and dance, and amateur theatrical productions. A showcase of customs and traditions of 
Sorbian ethnic regions by village communities also allows revival of the culture.


Sorbs speak in Sorbian and attend school that teaches them German as well. 

One of their traditional costumes

Their religions are Protestants, Catholics or Lutherans.
Some of the ceremonies include Easter, "walking of the borders," which is a ritual that is done when a village makes a procession around the newly planted fields, they sing hymns to it.



Bibliography:

Sorbs - Religion and Expressive Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved 8 December, 2010, from Countries and Their Cultures: http://www.everyculture.com/Europe/Sorbs-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html

Symmank, C. (n.d.). Retrieved 8 December, 2010, from Culture of the Sorbs (Wends): http://www.symmank.de/eng/sorbsculture.htm#nie