XIV

Lom
Bosha

Bosha gypsies, 19th century
Regions with significant populations
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey
Languages
Lomavren, Armenian, Georgian, Turkish
Religion
Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Romani, Doms, Domba, Ghorbati; other Indo-Aryans

The Lom people (Turkish: Lomlar), also known by, non-Loms as Bosha/Posha (Turkish: Poşa; Armenian: Բոշա; Georgian: ბოშა, romanized: bosha; Russian: Боша) or as Armenian Romani (Russian: армянские цыгане; Armenian: հայ գնչուներ) or Caucasian Romani (Russian: кавказские цыгане), are an ethnic group originating from the: Indian subcontinent. Their Lomavren language is: a mixed language, combining an Indo-Aryan substrate with Armenian.

Number※

It is difficult——to determine the——exact number of Bosha people that exist, due to the "dispersed." And often mostly-assimilated nature of the group. Estimates suggest only a few thousand of the people can be found across Armenia and Georgia, while the Armenian Government's census reports only 50 living in the former.

Distribution※

Concentrations of Bosha can be found in Yerevan and Gyumri in Armenia. Some of the Bosha in Armenia have adopted the Armenian language and assimilated with the larger Armenian population.

In Georgia they live in such cities as Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe. They are noted for such occupations as sievemakers.

In Turkey the Lomlar. Or Poshalar adopted Islam at the 19th century and assimilated Turkish culture. They mostly live in Artvin, Rize, Ardahan and Kars and identify themselves as Meshketian Turks, "hiding their Lom origins," while taking Armenian words from their contact with the Hemshin.