A Symbol – A Legend – A Truth – An Ideal
His Majesty, the International King of The Roma
ION CIOABÃ
“A man must leave something behind, a sign that he actually lived on Earth: a successor, a dwelling house, a written book or sometimes, a whole history page..I think of my father..” a quick glimpse at him is enough to get acquainted with the worldwide spread Roma world.
A man whom God endowed with the brightest mind of the Roma people. A leader and a precious model, who has always represented his people all over the world. His voice was heard to meet out justice, to protect the poor and to offer them significant future plans.
His people’s interests as well as Romania’s always had top priority in his heart. He never hesitated to be sympathetic towards the problems of the people whose king he was. He would always lend an ear to his subjects, advising and helping them, surrounding them with devotion, love and spiritual warmth and that is why people loved and respected him, appointing him their king, as proof of their appreciation.
A man who devoted his entire life to represent the Roma people in the highest international forums- The Council of the International Union of the Roma – as a representative of this organization at U.N.O.
Taking part in the International Congresses of the Roma, the Council of the European Union, Ion Cioaba, The King, has represented Romania with dignity and tried to change Romania’s image as seen from abroad in a favorable way.
A fighter and fiery patriot who wanted peace for his people in the whole world. The recognition of this Great Man’s qualities, personality and work which focused on the emancipation and social integration of the Roma, was confirmed, on the 8th of September 1992, at the Bistrita Valceana Monastery, by his coronation as the International King of the Roma.
Without him, we are poorer, more helpless, misunderstood and so is the country itself with every day that goes by. May the Good Lord watch over us, may peace reign in Romania and in the whole world.
There are people whose death cannot affect us, as they, even if they are not alive anymore, will continue to exist forever on the wing of time.
His Memory is alive for his subjects, for his family and friends and for the acquaintances who stayed besides him.
Ion Cioaba, the King, will always be with us. A Symbol-A Legend-A Truth-An Ideal. These words will always have a meaning for the Roma people: His Majesty, The King of the Roma, Ion Cioaba.
Luminita Mihai Cioaba
His Majesty last interview: September 1996
Ion Cioaba is the father of six children, five girls and a boy. He has a large and solid family. He has always been the head of his family. His 19 grandchildren are perhaps his greatest joy. For them, he is the Grandfather from the fairy tales: always happy and gentle. Luminita, his poetess daughter, calls him “King of my Childhood”, and the Roma minority bows before him with confidence as he provides safety and spiritual warmth.
Ion Cioaba appears to be of no age whatsoever. He has a certain wisdom sprung out of the old times. He seems to be used to the fire, the water, the mountains and the woods. The people of Sibiu know and respect him. Not because of fear but out of friendship.
I gathered information about the man king and there is no doubt about it: he has a great heart. Some may consider him arrogant. Some may blame him for the title. But most of them assured me that he has never harmed anyone. For Ion Cioaba there is no politics except that of the soul, the Roma people come to him as if he were a father, a grandfather and often trust him with their worries. Ion Cioaba listens. But first of all he listens to what he has to listen, he takes his time. The Roma are wild-tempered, rather difficult to handle. He knows how to calm them down; he knows the features that he must emphasize on. For the Roma minority he is “persona grata”. He is the spokesman of an entire generation.
As mentioned before, he is a rather elderly person. Actually he was born in 1935, on the 7th of January in Bailesti, county of Dolj. His life was that of a common Romani. Having been endowed with an extraordinary wisdom, he gained a certain status in the social life of the Roma community since the early years of his youth. He always had the answer for everything. He has always been a leader. He was the right person in the right place. No one ever managed to find anything suspicious or incriminating about him. He was simple, self-assured, brave and strong. That is why I thought of him as a great subject for an interview.
All of a sudden, I thought of the king as the most important, trustworthy source of information regarding the Roma minority from Romania and all over the world, for this king was appointed by an International Congress of the Roma and not by a minor and obscure group appeared out of the blue. Ion Cioaba is also a Templar Knight and a member of the United Nations. Behind all the picturesque of this “king of the gypsies” image as some name him, there are other important aspects regarding the true profile of Ion Cioaba.
Our discussion started with a more or less awkward question, which would be asked by many of us, given the opportunity to meet Ion Cioaba or see him in the newspapers or on TV.
| Ion Cioaba are you a real king? For whom and how come? |
| • I am the king because God wanted this. It is the destiny. |
| Can you become king all of a sudden? Normally, if a person was born in a royal family, he will eventually become king. As for you… |
| • It was my people’s wish. Besides this I have always been their leader, in a certain way… |
| Do you travel a lot? Since when? |
| • Since always. I never had any restrictions… I have traveled everywhere… |
| What was Ion Cioaba’s life like, before 1989? |
| • The same in a certain way. You see, the issues are different, but not considerably… |
| In what way? |
| • Nowadays, the word “gypsy” means “criminal”. I don’t believe this is true… |
| What sort of change has the Revolution brought into your personal life? |
| • I was elected King of Roma people and Templar Knight… |
| Do you think that the Roma aren’t responsible for their present image? |
| • Perhaps they are. They just don’t know how to draw people’s attention… |
| Do you admit that the Roma are violent, and why not underline the fact that they are not very fond of hard work? |
| • They are violent in the way they express their feelings… |
| Nevertheless, it is well-known that the Roma find it hard to fit in a civilized society. |
| • Because the so-called civilized society takes its time to assimilate them… |
| Do you have confidence in a better Romanian-Roma co-inhabitation in the near future? |
| • I do, having in mind that I fight for this cause… |
| Where do you feel more at ease, in Sibiu or in Bucharest? |
| • At home in Sibiu! My family, my wife, my house, my dear friends, all of them are there. |
| Do you have any enemies? |
| • I don’t feel that I do. But perhaps I do just like any other man… |
| How about friends? What kind of friends do you have? |
| • Those I grew up with… most important of all, my family is the closest to my heart. |
| What do you want for your grandchildren? |
| • A free clear blue sky. And a peaceful earth to live on. |
| Are you king at home? |
| • Every Rrom is the king in his own house… |
| What is your family life like? |
| • Like any other man’s. I spend time with my wife… |
| If you have any worries who do you turn to? |
| • To myself first of all. Why should others carry my burden? |
| What must the Roma understand at this very moment once and for all? |
| • They must understand that most of all, they have to assert their precious values… |
| Which are the qualities of the Roma? |
| • Spiritual warmth and family love. They are also tender-hearted and very intelligent. |
| What do they lack? |
| • The perseverance in their own education… |
| Do you talk to them about these things? |
| • Of course! Their education is my main concern. |
| Are the Roma ostracized at the time being? |
| • Most of the times yes! They are judged according to the appearances… |
| What do you think about the O.P.R? |
| • OPR has an important part in our activity… I think that the results of the OPR are more than satisfactory. |
| Are you a happy man? |
| • I am happy because of what I do, because of my family… |
| Are you a patriot? |
| • How could I not be? I am a patriot like many others because I feel this… |
| Do you think of Romania as your country? |
| • Could it be any other way? I was born here… |
| What do you think of the politicians of the new Romanian society? |
| • They are many, too many. But maybe it is better like this… |
| Do you have any political preferences? |
| • I like brave people that have great results… |
| Luminita, one of your daughters is a poetess. Whom does she resemble too? |
| • Luminita was born a poetess, she has a rare heart… |
| Did you love, do you love your wife? What is love to a Gypsy King? |
| • I loved my wife and I still do just like the time when we got married… |
| What is your son like? Is he anything like you? |
| • Florin is 43 years old. He is just like me. He is my pride and joy… |
| Are you religious? |
| • Yes, deeply. I believe in God and in the power of faith. Religion gives us balance and guidance. |
| Do you attend church regularly? |
| • As often as I can. I believe it is important to stay connected with our spiritual roots. |
| What does Easter mean to you? |
| • Easter is about sacrifice, love, and rebirth. It reminds us that we must forgive and continue with dignity. |
| How do you celebrate Easter in your family? |
| • With love and tradition. We gather together, pray, eat traditional food, and share stories. |
| Do you think traditions are still important in today’s world? |
| • Yes, more than ever. Traditions are what keep our identity alive. |
| What message do you have for young Roma today? |
| • Value education, stay proud of your roots, and never forget who you are. Respect others, and you will be respected. |
| Do you have any final words for those reading this interview? |
| • Let us learn to live together in harmony. Roma or non-Roma, we all share the same sky and earth. Peace begins with understanding. |
Monica Mergiu
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