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'Ashkali' (also ''Aschkali'', ''Hashkali'', ''Aškalije'' (Ашкалије), ''Haškalije'' (Хашкалије)) are an Albanian language speaking ethnic minority of Serbia and Albania.
Their origin is disputed. Ashkali are often regarded as Albanized Roma, but some think they are descendants of Turks or Egyptians (cf. Kosovo Egyptians, a similar group). Ashkali have similar culture to both Roma and Albanians. There is a theory that Ashkali are descendants of Roma who are said to have come to the Balkans from Palestine (their name deriving from Ashkelon, a city in Israel).
More certain is the actual basis for the Ashkali's continued existence as a modern ethnic group. Though it is certain that their ancestors originated outside the Balkans, the population speak Albanian as a first language. As the loss of language has scathed their identity, it is their lifestyle and custom and sense of community which has prevented them from fully assimilating the Albanian and Slavic nations who surround them.
In Kosovo Ashkali seem to have aligned with Albanians before and during the Kosovo War. However, there were reports of mass expulsion of Ashkali along with Roma from Kosovo that took place after the war^[1]. Many Ashkali refugees settled in Central Serbia and Vojvodina.

Contents

References

See also

Ashkali organizations and institutions

References

1. ''Memorandum of the Society for Threatened People on the Issue of Lead Poisoning of Roma in IDP Camps in Kosovo'', ''GFBV''.

See also

★ Kosovo Egyptians

Ashkali organizations and institutions

★ Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo

★ Matica Aškalija in Novi Sad, Vojvodina