The Groups
Millet declare themselves Turks in everyday relations and censuses. They speak Turkish language, considered their mother tongue, and do not recognize an affiliation to the Roma identity on which the surrounding populations insist. They are also called and refer to themselves by the term Millet (for an explanation of the term Millet, see the Publications & Outputs page).
The Turkish Tinsmiths are speakers of the Xoraxane dialect of the Romani language, but also of Turkish, in certain localities, especially in those where they are in contact with the Millet group. Turkish Tinsmith is a religionym and a professionym, indicating their Islamic religion and the occupation they used to practice before the sedentarization in the 1950s. They are also called hıdıri, but the term is not unanimously accepted by community members (especially those from Tulcea County), due to its derogatory connotations.
Davulcu group is encountered as part of the Millet (in the sense of religious community), in close relationship with the Tatar communities. In fact, their strongest indicator is their knowledge of the Tatar language, identical to that spoken by the Tatar community in Dobruja.
The Space
ⓘ Click on the marked locations from the interactive map, to explore the demographical distribution of Millet, Turkish Tinsmiths, and Davulcu in each city.
Demographical distribution of Millet, Turkish Tinsmiths, and Davulcu in Romania (map designed by István Szekely, researcher at the Romanian Institute for Research on National Minorities).
Microhistories (Coming Soon)
The results presented on the site are partial. The team members are currently working on a monograph of the communities explored.
Images From The Field
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View of Babadağ and the Koyun Baba Hill, meaning 'Father of Sheep' in Turkish, Babdag, Tulcea County, July 2023 -
The Gazi Ali Pasha Mosque in Babadag, Babadag, Tulcea County, July 2023 -
Houses inhabited by Turkish Tinsmiths, center of Babadag, Tulcea County, Romania, July 2023 -
Street in Bendea neighbourhood, Babadag, Tulcea County, Romania, July 2023 -
Vehicle used to carry animals. Animal trading is one of the main occupations of men in the Turkish Tinsmiths community in Babadag. Babadag, Tulcea County (July 2025) -
A woman from the Turkish Tinsmiths community wearing a headscarf (çember), Babadag, Tulcea County, July 2023. -
Pesmet, pies served with jam, prepared by Esma, Babadag, Tulcea County, July 2023 -
Turkish coffee served by Esma, a woman from the Turkish Tinsmiths community Babadag, Tulcea County, July 2023 -
Old coffee mug belonging to Mustafa family in Babadag, Tulcea County, July 2023 -
Pots made by a Turkish Tinsmith in Babadag, Tulcea County, July 2023 -
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Mezar tahtası (temporary wooden plate) of a woman. Muslim Cemetery in Călărași. Călărași, Călărași County, April 2024 -
Mosque in Călărași, Oboru Nou neighbourhood, Călărași, Călărași County, Romania, April 2024 -
Oboru Nou neighbourhood, Călărași, Călărași County, Romania, April 2024 -
Oboru Nou neighbourhood, Călărași, Călărași County, Romania, April 2024 -
Basketball Court of the Commmunity Center in Oboru Nou neighbourhood, Călărași, Houses in the background, Călărași County, Romania, April 2024 -
Piața Chiliei (Millet neighbourhood), Constanța, Constanța County, Romania, July 2023 -
Anadolchioi Mosque Friday Service, June 2023 -
Anadolchioi Mosque Friday Service, June 2023 -
Anadolchioi Mosque Friday Service, June 2023 -
,%20Constanta,%20Constanta%20County,%20Romania,%20September%202023/1.Piața%20Griviței%20(Millet%20neighbourhood),%20Constanța,%20Constanța%20County,%20Romania,%20September%202023.jpg)
Piața Griviței (Millet neighbourhood), Constanța, Constanța County, Romania, September 2023 -
,%20Constanta,%20Constanta%20County,%20Romania,%20September%202023/2.Piața%20Griviței%20(Millet%20neighbourhood),%20Constanța,%20Constanța%20County,%20Romania,%20September%202023.jpg)
Piața Griviței (Millet neighbourhood), Constanța, Constanța County, Romania, September 2023 -
Henri Coandă neighboorhood, Constanța, Constanța County, September 2023 -
House inhabited by Turkish Tinsmith family. Hârșova, Constanța County, July 2023 -
Nazar Boncuğu (evel eye bead) at a Turkish Tinsmiths house. Hârșova, Constanța county, July 2023 -
Restored traditional cart used in the past by Turkish Tinsmiths. It belongs to Șaban from Hârșova, Constanța County, July 2023 -
Tesbih, Islamic Prayer Beads, Hârșova, Constanța County, July 2023 -
Silver bracelet with floral motif worn by a Turkish Tinsmith woman. Hârșova, Constanța County, July 2023 -
Tombstone belonging to a member of the Turkish Tinsmiths community. Muslim cemetery in Hârșova, Constanța County, July 2023 -
"Esmahan Sultan" Mosque in Mangalia, Constanța County, July 2024 -
Coloniști neighbourhood, Mangalia, Constanța County -
Millet wedding (the religious marriage ceremony-nikah), Coloniști neighbourhood, Mangalia,Constanța County, Romania, July 2024 -
Samet Portocala and Ork. Tayjun artists performing at a Millet wedding, Mangalia, Constanța County, July 2024
La Rotunda (delimitation of "Ali Baba" neighbourhood), September 2023.%20Cimentul%20”Ali%20Baba”%20(Millet%20neighbourhood),%20Medgidia,%20Constanta%20County,%20September%202023/1.Mevlid-i%20Șerif%20Book%20(Prayer%20Book).%20Cimentul%20Ali%20Baba%20(Millet%20neighbourhood),%20Medgidia,%20Constanța%20County,%20September%202023.jpeg)
Mevlid-i Șerif Book (Prayer Book). Cimentul ”Ali Baba” (Millet neighbourhood), Medgidia, Constanța County, September 2023.%20Cimentul%20”Ali%20Baba”%20(Millet%20neighbourhood),%20Medgidia,%20Constanta%20County,%20September%202023/2.Mevlid-i%20Șerif%20Book%20(Prayer%20Book).%20Cimentul%20Ali%20Baba%20(Millet%20neighbourhood),%20Medgidia,%20Constanța%20County,%20September%202023.jpeg)
Mevlid-i Șerif Book (Prayer Book). Cimentul ”Ali Baba” (Millet neighbourhood), Medgidia, Constanța County, September 2023
Lehva (plate with Qur'an verse, interior detail). Cimentul ”Ali Baba” (Millet neighbourhood), Medgidia, Constanța County, September 2023
Muslim Butchery in Cimentul ("Ali Baba") neighbourhood, Medgidia, Constanța County, September 2023
Iftar organized by Osman Gazi Turkish Association, Medgidia, Constanța County, March 2024
Iftar organized by Osman Gazi Turkish Association, Medgidia, Constanța County, March 2024
Logo of the "Osman Gazi" Turkish Association- Türklerin Derneği "Osman Gazi" (Millet association from Medgidia, Contanța County)
White House Block, Medgidia, Contanța County, Septembr 2023
White House Block, Medgidia, Contanța County, Septembr 2023
Davulcu performing at traditional Tatar wrestling (kureș) competition. Medgidia, Constanta County, June 2025
Barăci-Silozuri neighbourhood, Medgidia, Constanța County, September 2023
Barăci-Silozuri neighbourhood, Medgidia, Constanța County, September 2023
Bălcescu Street in Tulcea, Tulcea County, July 2023
The entrance gate of a Turkish Tinsmiths house in Tulcea, Tulcea County, July 2023
House belonging to a member of the Turkish Tinsmiths community in Tulcea, Tulcea County, July 2023
Aziziye Mosque. Tulcea, Tulcea County, July 2023
Dishes served on the occasion of Kurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice) in the home of a Turkish Tinsmiths family from Tulcea, Tulcea County, July 2023,%20Tulcea,%20Tulcea%20County,%20July%202023.jpeg)
Woman from the Turkish Tinsmiths community, henna-painted hand and wearing a bracelet with Nazar Boncuğu (evil eye), Tulcea, Tulcea County, July 2023
Tombstone belonging to a member of the Turkish Tinsmiths community. Muslim cemetery in Tulcea. Tulcea, Tulcea County July 2023How to cite or use the data
Adriana Cupcea, Metin Omer, www.millet.ro, “Invisible Minorities. Millet, Turkish Tinsmiths and Davulcu in Dobruja (Romania)” research project, supported by Gerda Henkel Foundation.
Disclaimer: All data and photos on this website belong to the authors and the Gerda Henkel Foundation. Reproduction, distribution, or modification of any part of this website without consent is strictly prohibited.