Devla
Devla/Del/Devel, Devlam, Devles, Devleske or Dovel is the word used when directly calling or praying to God in the Romani language.
Names[]
Devla basically means "God". It cannot be confused with the English word Devil, because the word for "Devil" in Romani is Beng. Interestingly some villages in India are named "Devla", as example Devla, India.
These Roma words existed in the Roma language centuries before any Roma adopted Christianity or Islam. That is, "Devla or Del" is a common noun meaning "a god". It is based on the Sanskrit word deva, related to the Latin words deus ("god") and divinus ("godly, godlike"), Greek Zeus, Lithuanian Dievas and the name for the sky god *Dyeus present throughout Indo-European religions and cultures.
Devlaism[]
After the Yugoslav Wars, some Christian Roma (Dasikane) and Muslim Roma (Horahane) Chingaren groups, created their own religion based on the beliefs of their old Romani mythology. There are few believers. Devlaism is a syncretic religion, and is tolerant of homosexuality and against racism. They respect animals, especially dogs and horses. They are flexitarian. Their holy days are named Djisatedimi. Rites like infant baptism (Bona) and religious male circumcision (Sunet Bijav) are performed.
- Devla = is the universal God. See Dyēus, Deva (Hinduism)
- Baba Fingo = is the savior. See Kakava, Khidr, Jhulelal (Hinduism)
- Baba Biljos = a male deity, associated with lust and sexuality. See Kamadeva, Min (god).
- I gudli Sajbija = a female guardian angel. See Jophiel
- Bibi (Romani cult) = Bibia is a holy aunt, the day is called Bibiyako Dive. See Shashthi
- Sara e Kali = is a female saint.
- E Day Devleske = mother goddess. See Dʰéǵʰōm, Devi.
- Ursitory = three female spirits fairies.
- Classical element = fire, water, heaven, earth.
- Bonfire (5-6 May) on Kakava.
- Trishula = Trishel, Trushel or Trushul is the Romani word for cross.
- Baro Kari = meaning "big human penis". See Shiva Lingam.
See also[]
- Romani mythology
- Kakava
- Romani religion
- Deities
- Romani stubs
- Religion stubs