Karolinum Press, Charles University
The Stojka Family
Spatial Mobility and Territorial Anchoredness of Lovara Vlax Roms in the Former Czechoslovakia
9788024659176
Distributed for Karolinum Press, Charles University
The Stojka Family
Spatial Mobility and Territorial Anchoredness of Lovara Vlax Roms in the Former Czechoslovakia
Centering around the unique story and testimony of a Romani family, greater insight into the Lovara community is provided in this extensive and captivating narrative.
The Stojka Family features the distinctive testimony of said Romani family, allowing for a representation of “traveling gypsies” and their forced sedentarization. The book shines a light on the lesser-known Lovara community, accompanied by solid data from extensive archival research, oral history, and other ethnological methods.
The book details the story of a Vlax-Lovari Romani family, focusing on its legal, economic, and social attachment to the territory of the former Czechoslovakia from the end of the nineteenth century to the 1960s. Using extensive archival research and the accounts of Romani witnesses, the author shows the various forms of spatial mobility and anchoring of those who identified themselves as Vlax-Lovari Romani and who were simultaneously labeled by state authorities as “gypsies” or “wandering gypsies.” The distinctive testimony focuses on instruments of anti-Roma legislation over a long time, across very diverse political regimes, different regions, and changing socio-economic conditions, and traces in detail the impact of these measures on the lives of the Romani population. The book presents perhaps the most detailed treatment of the history and trajectory of a single Romani family and offers a new perspective on the so-called “Romani nomadism,” providing valuable insights in the fields of social and cultural anthropology, ethnology, sociology, and Romani studies.
The Stojka Family features the distinctive testimony of said Romani family, allowing for a representation of “traveling gypsies” and their forced sedentarization. The book shines a light on the lesser-known Lovara community, accompanied by solid data from extensive archival research, oral history, and other ethnological methods.
The book details the story of a Vlax-Lovari Romani family, focusing on its legal, economic, and social attachment to the territory of the former Czechoslovakia from the end of the nineteenth century to the 1960s. Using extensive archival research and the accounts of Romani witnesses, the author shows the various forms of spatial mobility and anchoring of those who identified themselves as Vlax-Lovari Romani and who were simultaneously labeled by state authorities as “gypsies” or “wandering gypsies.” The distinctive testimony focuses on instruments of anti-Roma legislation over a long time, across very diverse political regimes, different regions, and changing socio-economic conditions, and traces in detail the impact of these measures on the lives of the Romani population. The book presents perhaps the most detailed treatment of the history and trajectory of a single Romani family and offers a new perspective on the so-called “Romani nomadism,” providing valuable insights in the fields of social and cultural anthropology, ethnology, sociology, and Romani studies.
280 pages | 10 halftones, 1 line drawing | 5.67 x 8.07 | © 2025
Anthropology: Cultural and Social Anthropology
Sociology: Race, Ethnic, and Minority Relations
Table of Contents
Contents
The Stojka Family.1
Spatial mobility and territorial anchoredness of Lovara Vlax Roms in the former Czechoslovakia.1
Acknowledgements5
0. Introduction, methodology and theoretical basis7
0.1 Theme and aims of the book7
0.1.2 The division of the book and the structure of chapters9
0.2 Vlax Roms and Lovara: who are they?10
02.1 Lovara on the territory of former Czechoslovakia11
0.2.1 Lovara / Vlax Roms – choice of a suitable appellation14
0.2.3 The appellation of Lovara from the perspective of actors16
0.2.4 Roms, “gypsies” and “vagabond gypsies”17
0.3 Methodology19
0.3.1 Reflexivity and the course of the research19
0.3.2 Integrating the memories of Roms into research into Romani history22
0.3.3 The involvement of Roms in research into Romani history24
0.3.4 Archive research25
0.3.5 Searching the records of “travelling gypsies”26
0.3.6 Differentiation between “travelling gypsies” in state records27
0.3.7 Searching across the archives for records on the movements and stays of specific families29
0.3.8 Impediments to and difficulties with the method of searching for Lovara on the basis of surname31
0.3.9 Anonymisation and research ethics34
0.4.1 Identification of the categories of Lovara in the archive files37
0.4.2 Rethinking the “settled” – “travelling” dichotomy39
1.Part 1: Before the creation of Czechoslovakia46
1.1Lovara on the territory of present-day Slovakia46
1.2Lovara in the Czech lands before the creation of Czechoslovakia48
1.3The roots of the Stojka family from Trencianska Teplá53
1.3.1 Mária Stojková (born 1875)55
1.3.2 Štefan Stojka (born 1891)56
1.3.3 Zaga Stojková (born 1887)58
2. Part 2: The Inter-war Period60
2.1Lovara territorial anchoring and spatial mobility in Slovakia60
2.1.1Spatial mobility from the perspective of the actors61
2.1.2Domicile62
2.1.3The “unanchored” as “regionally-anchored”63
2.1.4Territorial anchoring: Lovara families owning a house in a particular municipality67
2.1.5The house as wintering place: a combination of spatial mobility and territorial anchoredness71
2.1.6Influence of livelihood on spatial mobility78
2.2The Stojkas of Trencianska Teplá in the inter-war period83
2.2.1 The 1920s: mobility on the territory of western Slovakia83
2.2.1.1The family of Zaga Stojková84
2.2.1.2 The family of Štefan Stojka sr.85
2.2.2 The 1930s: a change of spatial trajectories87
2.2.2.1 Trajectories of the family of Štefan Stojka sr. in the 1930s88
2.2.2.2 The migration trajectory of Zaga and her children in the 1930s94
2.2.2.3 The dividing off of new family segments of the children of Zaga Stojková in the 1930s98
2.2.2.4 Localisation of Zaga Stojková’s mobility points on the map101
2.3The transformation of the spatial mobility of the Lovara in the Czech lands after the creation of Czechoslovakia105
2.3.1 Lovara in the Czech lands in the 1920s106
2.3.2 The movements of Roms in the Czech lands during the First Republic107
2.3.3 The state view of Lovara movements around the Czech lands in the early 1930s111
2.3.4 Movements of Lovara around the Czech lands in the second half of the 1930s117
2.3.5 Conclusions: the situation of the Lovara in the Czech lands in the inter-war period121
3. The eve of the war123
3.1 The increased frequency of the movements of Roms in the protectorate123
3.2 Change of citizenship as reason for leaving the protectorate128
3.3 Returning to Slovakia from the point of view of Lovara witnesses129
4. Part four: The Second World War131
4.1Roms during the Second World War on the territory of the Slovak Republic (1939–1945)131
4.1.1 The impact of the anti-gypsy decrees during the Second World War in Slovakia on the situation of the Lovara134
4.1.2 The forced returns of the Lovara to their domiciles and limited ties to local populations137
4.1.3 Lovara in labour camps in Slovakia139
4.2 The situation of the Lovara on territory occupied by Hungary143
4.3The Second World War in Trencianska Teplá148
4.3.1 The family of Štefan Stojka sr. in Trencianska Teplá during the war149
4.3.2 The return of Zaga Stojková’s family to Trencianska Teplá150
4.3.3 Complaints against “gypsies” in Trencianska Teplá in the first years of the war152
4.3.4 The reaction of the municipality to the decree of April 1941 on some conditions of gypsies154
4.3.5 Members of the Stojka family outside Trencianska Teplá156
4.3.6 The closing phase of the war: the arrival of the Germans and hiding in the woods158
4.3.7 The destruction of Štefan Stojka’s house161
4.4 The end of the wartime chapter163
5. Part five: The post-war period167
5.1The forced departure of Roms from Trencianska Teplá in 1947167
5.1.1 The arrivals of Roms from Slovakia in the Czech lands171
5.1.2 Restrictions on “travelling gypsies”174
5.1.3 The reeducation of children of “travelling gypsies” as a case of social engineering181
5.1.4 Lovara among “travelling gypsies”185
5.2The post-war trajectories of Štefan Stojka sr.190
5.2.1 Coda: the legend and legacy of Štefan Stojka194
5.3The trajectories of the late Zaga Stojková’s descendants196
5.3.1 The early 1950s: spatial mobility and attempts at sedentarisation198
5.3.2 The second half of the 1950s: in the Louny and Žatec districts203
5.3.3 Forced settlement in the old brickworks in Louny and near the river in Žatec206
6. Part six: The implementation of the law on the permanent settlement of travelling persons and its impact210
6.1 The preparation of law no. 74/1958 at the central level210
6.1.1 The categories of “travelling”, “semi-travelling” and “settled” in law 74/1958212
6.2 The preparation of the register in Louny216
6.2.1 Concrete preparations for the register220
6.2.2 Implementation of the register of travelling and semi-travelling persons in Louny and Žatec221
6.3 The listing of persons in the register225
6.3.1 Dealing and not dealing with living in caravans226
6.3.2 Assimilatory efforts to rid “gypsies” of their old habits234
6.3.3 The agenda of deregistration from the register of travelling and semi-travelling persons238
6.3.4 Leaving the caravans240
6.3.5 The impact of the register according to law 74/1958 on Roms in Louny and Žatec241
7. Part seven: Conclusions242
7.1 The interdisciplinary approach, combination of methods and broad spectrum of sources and other innovative aspects243
7.2 Conclusions for individual historical periods245
7.2.1 Summary of the trajectories of the Stojka family from Trencianska Teplá before the beginning of the Second World War245
7.2.2 Territorial anchoring and spatial mobility – the way of life of the Lovara in Slovakia before the Second World War246
7.2.3 The situation of the Lovara in the Czech lands in the inter-war period247
7.2.4 The impact of the absence of social relationships on the situation of Lovara during the Second World War in Slovakia248
7.2.5 The post-war period: facing attempts at forced sedentarisation by state bodies250
7.2.6 The settling of the Stojka family in the late 1950s252
7.3 The position of Roms in society: the paternalism of the state, anti-gypsy policies and the agency of Roms253
The Stojka Family.1
Spatial mobility and territorial anchoredness of Lovara Vlax Roms in the former Czechoslovakia.1
Acknowledgements5
0. Introduction, methodology and theoretical basis7
0.1 Theme and aims of the book7
0.1.2 The division of the book and the structure of chapters9
0.2 Vlax Roms and Lovara: who are they?10
02.1 Lovara on the territory of former Czechoslovakia11
0.2.1 Lovara / Vlax Roms – choice of a suitable appellation14
0.2.3 The appellation of Lovara from the perspective of actors16
0.2.4 Roms, “gypsies” and “vagabond gypsies”17
0.3 Methodology19
0.3.1 Reflexivity and the course of the research19
0.3.2 Integrating the memories of Roms into research into Romani history22
0.3.3 The involvement of Roms in research into Romani history24
0.3.4 Archive research25
0.3.5 Searching the records of “travelling gypsies”26
0.3.6 Differentiation between “travelling gypsies” in state records27
0.3.7 Searching across the archives for records on the movements and stays of specific families29
0.3.8 Impediments to and difficulties with the method of searching for Lovara on the basis of surname31
0.3.9 Anonymisation and research ethics34
0.4.1 Identification of the categories of Lovara in the archive files37
0.4.2 Rethinking the “settled” – “travelling” dichotomy39
1.Part 1: Before the creation of Czechoslovakia46
1.1Lovara on the territory of present-day Slovakia46
1.2Lovara in the Czech lands before the creation of Czechoslovakia48
1.3The roots of the Stojka family from Trencianska Teplá53
1.3.1 Mária Stojková (born 1875)55
1.3.2 Štefan Stojka (born 1891)56
1.3.3 Zaga Stojková (born 1887)58
2. Part 2: The Inter-war Period60
2.1Lovara territorial anchoring and spatial mobility in Slovakia60
2.1.1Spatial mobility from the perspective of the actors61
2.1.2Domicile62
2.1.3The “unanchored” as “regionally-anchored”63
2.1.4Territorial anchoring: Lovara families owning a house in a particular municipality67
2.1.5The house as wintering place: a combination of spatial mobility and territorial anchoredness71
2.1.6Influence of livelihood on spatial mobility78
2.2The Stojkas of Trencianska Teplá in the inter-war period83
2.2.1 The 1920s: mobility on the territory of western Slovakia83
2.2.1.1The family of Zaga Stojková84
2.2.1.2 The family of Štefan Stojka sr.85
2.2.2 The 1930s: a change of spatial trajectories87
2.2.2.1 Trajectories of the family of Štefan Stojka sr. in the 1930s88
2.2.2.2 The migration trajectory of Zaga and her children in the 1930s94
2.2.2.3 The dividing off of new family segments of the children of Zaga Stojková in the 1930s98
2.2.2.4 Localisation of Zaga Stojková’s mobility points on the map101
2.3The transformation of the spatial mobility of the Lovara in the Czech lands after the creation of Czechoslovakia105
2.3.1 Lovara in the Czech lands in the 1920s106
2.3.2 The movements of Roms in the Czech lands during the First Republic107
2.3.3 The state view of Lovara movements around the Czech lands in the early 1930s111
2.3.4 Movements of Lovara around the Czech lands in the second half of the 1930s117
2.3.5 Conclusions: the situation of the Lovara in the Czech lands in the inter-war period121
3. The eve of the war123
3.1 The increased frequency of the movements of Roms in the protectorate123
3.2 Change of citizenship as reason for leaving the protectorate128
3.3 Returning to Slovakia from the point of view of Lovara witnesses129
4. Part four: The Second World War131
4.1Roms during the Second World War on the territory of the Slovak Republic (1939–1945)131
4.1.1 The impact of the anti-gypsy decrees during the Second World War in Slovakia on the situation of the Lovara134
4.1.2 The forced returns of the Lovara to their domiciles and limited ties to local populations137
4.1.3 Lovara in labour camps in Slovakia139
4.2 The situation of the Lovara on territory occupied by Hungary143
4.3The Second World War in Trencianska Teplá148
4.3.1 The family of Štefan Stojka sr. in Trencianska Teplá during the war149
4.3.2 The return of Zaga Stojková’s family to Trencianska Teplá150
4.3.3 Complaints against “gypsies” in Trencianska Teplá in the first years of the war152
4.3.4 The reaction of the municipality to the decree of April 1941 on some conditions of gypsies154
4.3.5 Members of the Stojka family outside Trencianska Teplá156
4.3.6 The closing phase of the war: the arrival of the Germans and hiding in the woods158
4.3.7 The destruction of Štefan Stojka’s house161
4.4 The end of the wartime chapter163
5. Part five: The post-war period167
5.1The forced departure of Roms from Trencianska Teplá in 1947167
5.1.1 The arrivals of Roms from Slovakia in the Czech lands171
5.1.2 Restrictions on “travelling gypsies”174
5.1.3 The reeducation of children of “travelling gypsies” as a case of social engineering181
5.1.4 Lovara among “travelling gypsies”185
5.2The post-war trajectories of Štefan Stojka sr.190
5.2.1 Coda: the legend and legacy of Štefan Stojka194
5.3The trajectories of the late Zaga Stojková’s descendants196
5.3.1 The early 1950s: spatial mobility and attempts at sedentarisation198
5.3.2 The second half of the 1950s: in the Louny and Žatec districts203
5.3.3 Forced settlement in the old brickworks in Louny and near the river in Žatec206
6. Part six: The implementation of the law on the permanent settlement of travelling persons and its impact210
6.1 The preparation of law no. 74/1958 at the central level210
6.1.1 The categories of “travelling”, “semi-travelling” and “settled” in law 74/1958212
6.2 The preparation of the register in Louny216
6.2.1 Concrete preparations for the register220
6.2.2 Implementation of the register of travelling and semi-travelling persons in Louny and Žatec221
6.3 The listing of persons in the register225
6.3.1 Dealing and not dealing with living in caravans226
6.3.2 Assimilatory efforts to rid “gypsies” of their old habits234
6.3.3 The agenda of deregistration from the register of travelling and semi-travelling persons238
6.3.4 Leaving the caravans240
6.3.5 The impact of the register according to law 74/1958 on Roms in Louny and Žatec241
7. Part seven: Conclusions242
7.1 The interdisciplinary approach, combination of methods and broad spectrum of sources and other innovative aspects243
7.2 Conclusions for individual historical periods245
7.2.1 Summary of the trajectories of the Stojka family from Trencianska Teplá before the beginning of the Second World War245
7.2.2 Territorial anchoring and spatial mobility – the way of life of the Lovara in Slovakia before the Second World War246
7.2.3 The situation of the Lovara in the Czech lands in the inter-war period247
7.2.4 The impact of the absence of social relationships on the situation of Lovara during the Second World War in Slovakia248
7.2.5 The post-war period: facing attempts at forced sedentarisation by state bodies250
7.2.6 The settling of the Stojka family in the late 1950s252
7.3 The position of Roms in society: the paternalism of the state, anti-gypsy policies and the agency of Roms253