Rasputin Barxotka

Although King Camello Basma was not an actual historical character, he represents something that many Russian Rroma people desperately wanted; an independent area where they could practice their own culture, while contributing to Russian society.  Unfortunately, forced settlement and poor cultural integration practices have led to a virtual hell for the majority of Rroma living in the former Soviet Bloc countries.  Because of the horrifying poverty, bigotry and living conditions they face, Rromanis of all ages continue to be sucked into a life of crime with very little hope of escape.  Desperate and easily exploitable Rroma labor is perfect for low-level tasks within the Taijik-Russian drug trade. This contributes to the modern Russian stereotype of all gypsies being drug dealers.

Independent and self-sufficient Russian Rroma cities like Chuvodo often face the horrifying specter of complete demolition because of their lack of government recognition.  These cities do not exist on paper and as a result, they are fair game for commercial development interests.  By contrast, in a recognized village like Zubchaninovka where Russian Rromanis are allowed to lead their lives as themselves, prosperity and hope abounds.

In Rasputin Barxotka, the fictional village of Nicotash was on its way to becoming something like Zubchaninovka.  Camello, being the ambitious lug that he was, decided to take his vibrant unofficial village several steps further.  His aim was to establish an entire autonomous okrug for all Ruska Rromas, regardless of whether they were members of the Nicotash kumpania (tribe) or not.  Camello had several things working in his favor in achieving terms of this goal.

1. The fact that he served in the military and pretty much saved the world, even if he was honorably discharged by reason of insanity due to the rather extraordinary nature of an… ahem… engagement.
2. His village was already independently prosperous.
3. Nicotash was located in the heart of a Moskovsky (Little Moscow) rural district that no one except for the Rroma wanted to live in.
4. Camello, unlike many Rromanis (such as his uncle,) was fully fluent in the Russian language; written and conversational.
5. Unlike other Gypsy kings, Camello was neither adverse to cross-cultural cooperation, nor was he a social outcast by time he decided to announce his intentions to the President.  In other words, he had real negotiating power.
6. Because of anti-Rroma bigotry, Camello’s light hair and complexion may given Russian government officials and bureaucrats a false impression that the king could be reasoned with more easily than with other Rromanis.
7. His almost inexplicable lack of a criminal record.

Unfortunately for Camello and his people, greed and other mitigating factors prevailed.

Credits

Color: Mandarr

Everything Else: Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz.

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