Romanians from Serbia in Denmark
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parts of the Vlach community <strong>in</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong>, but had been suppressed dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Tito’srule. Among these values were a greater openness towards religious<br />
matters and a revived <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>s,nationality and ethnicity, as well as<br />
an ideological celebration of the family as a core <strong>in</strong>stitution <strong>in</strong> society.<br />
In particular, the emphasis on the family <strong>in</strong> <strong>Serbia</strong>n nationalism is likely<br />
to have made this ideology appeal<strong>in</strong>gto Vlach women. For them, migration<br />
implied a loss of previous <strong>in</strong>dependence and created a situation more like<br />
thetraditional role of <strong>Serbia</strong>n women, whose sphere of control also tended<br />
to be conf<strong>in</strong>ed to the private realm.Dur<strong>in</strong>g the Milosevic regime, economic<br />
<strong>in</strong>security and the troubles related to everyday existence worked to<br />
strengthen women’s self-denial, but at the same time gave them new power<br />
and control over those who were dependent on them (Bijelic 2005: 286).<br />
The praise of motherhood <strong>in</strong> nationalist rhetoric and the celebration of<br />
women’s strong but hidden position with<strong>in</strong> the family attracted a large<br />
number of female voters <strong>from</strong> the socially fragile and economically<br />
disadvantaged groups <strong>in</strong> <strong>Serbia</strong> (2005: 296). Likewise, certa<strong>in</strong> migrant<br />
women (particularly <strong>in</strong> the older generation) may have regarded the<br />
ideological ‘return to ancient values’ as hav<strong>in</strong>g thepotential to bolster their<br />
own roles as the guardians of tradition <strong>in</strong> charge of keep<strong>in</strong>g alive the<br />
connectionsbetween the village of orig<strong>in</strong> and the new homeland.<br />
At present, it is strik<strong>in</strong>g how the most important rites of passage, such as<br />
marriage, baptism and burial, cont<strong>in</strong>ue to take place <strong>in</strong> the homeland<br />
village. A trip to the graveyards <strong>in</strong> the villages of orig<strong>in</strong> reveals a large<br />
number of elaborate and well-kept tombstones. This confirms the<br />
importance of be<strong>in</strong>g buried properly, that is, <strong>in</strong> <strong>Serbia</strong>n soil. Funerals<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue to form a very important part of the Vlach religious tradition as<br />
symbolicacts to celebrate their common roots (Schierup and Ålund 1986:<br />
53). After the funerals, pomanas are held<strong>in</strong> the village at certa<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>tervals<br />
<strong>in</strong> honour of the dead to represent the sacrifices, humility and co-operation<br />
towards the ancestors. 9 Many migrants grumble over the constant<br />
obligations be<strong>in</strong>g placed on them to f<strong>in</strong>ance extravagant ceremonies of<br />
remembrance. As the keepers of tradition, mothers and grandmothers <strong>in</strong><br />
particular have a strategic <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> ensur<strong>in</strong>g that they are upheld.<br />
However, they are wellaware that, if such traditions are to be cont<strong>in</strong>ued, it