The Bible and Historical Constructions of Finnish Roma Identities

Application summary

The project examines how the Bible has been utilized to shape the Finnish Roma identity and how this identity influences the meanings attributed to the Bible. Religion, particularly in the form of charismatic Protestant Christianity, has been viewed as a crucial aspect of Finnish Roma self-understanding. The Roma identify as Kaale, an ethnic group of approximately 10,000–12,000 contemporary Finns. Historical and ethnographic research is starting to recognize the importance of religion in their well-being and social ties. However, religious and theological studies on the Kaale are almost nonexistent. Thus, the contents of this religiosity have not been analyzed. This is primarily due to the broader neglect of considering Kaale as part of the Finnish community, history, and culture. The research project is a pioneering one that begins to fill this gap in scholarly knowledge by examining the relationship between Kaale identity formation and biblical interpretation. It investigates how Kaale authors interpret the Bible to define proper ways of belonging to their community and to promote social equality for the Kaale in Finnish society. The focus is on three specific periods of recent history: the start of Christian missions among the Kaale (1900–1920), the rise of the Kaale civil rights movement (1950–1970), and ongoing discussions about Kaale identity in the 21st century. Historical sources, including Kaale magazines, books, social media teachings, and archival materials, are examined using the latest scholarly tools that analyze the connections between identity formation and the interpretation of sacred texts. The emphasis is on hearing the voices of the Kaale themselves. Therefore, the sources prioritized are those written by individuals who identify as part of the Kaale community and explicitly discuss the life and beliefs of the Finnish Roma.