Mishto avilyan!

Welcome to Romano Kopachi, the Romani Tree

My name is Ronald Lee. I am a Romani author, journalist, lecturer and folk musician. This site exists not only to advertise my books, articles and CD, but also to make available on the web articles by other Roma about Romani history, identity and issues.

"Ame le Rroma, sam ekh baro kopáchi kai si lês but kriyênzhi. Swáko kriyánga si ekh nátsiya thai swáko nátsiya si la but vítsi."

"We the Roma are a huge tree that has many branches. Each branch is a nation and each nation has many clans."

Romani refugee claimant while waiting for his hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Toronto, 2002.

• My novel Goddam Gypsy is now re-published under its original name, The Living Fire. See the Books Page for details.
• You can now order our music CD online, listen to sample tracks and download song lyrics from the Music Page. Some of the songs on this CD also appear as examples in the book Learn Romani. Further information about Learn Romani is available on the Books Page.
• Dec 27, 2009: I have uploaded an article by Ian Hancock, Duty and beauty, possession and truth: the claim of lexical impoverishment as control.
• Nov 24, 2009: I have uploaded a speech by Hedina Sijercic on Roma Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnian Roma women in Western Europe.
• Oct 14, 2009: I have uploaded my article about Roma refugees in Italy, Roma Ande Kalisferia - Roma in Limbo.
• Oct 12, 2009: We have uploaded articles by Alexandra Oprea, Ronald Lee, Toussaint Dileau and Valeriu Nicolae. Topics include Roma in Romania, Romani Women, the Holocaust, Roma and Flamenco, Kali Sara, Roma and Education, Romani Origins and Romani Language. See the Articles Page.
• Oct 11, 2009: I have once again revised A New Look at Our Romani Origins and Diaspora.
• As always, if you are having trouble viewing the site in your web browser, or having any kind of problem with the site, please describe your problem to the web designer.