Bogdan Elena Collection

After forced sedentarism of nomadic Moldavian Roma Groups implemented by the Soviet authorities at mid-twentieth century and massive industrialization of the Soviet economy – many traditions of the Roma have disappeared. One of the main Romani traditional ways of life which now disappeared completely is - nomadism. The most famous nomadic ethnographic group of the Moldavian Roma were - "Laesi" (former Roma nomads). The most prominent subdivision of the ethnographic community of Laesi are - "Catunari" (Roma from tents). Currently the traditional Roma group of “Catunari” live in the in the central and southern part of the Republic of Moldova, especially in Hincesti city district. At the present, the main occupation of Roma Catunari is the commerce retail in the Republic of Moldova and fortune-telling.