Xoraxane
Balkan Romani
BelmontCommunity Profile: Many different waves representing a diverse array of Roma communities have come to New York since at least the mid-19th century. Many were emancipated slaves who came from regions across Southern and Eastern Europe, principally Kalderasha (mostly Rusurya, or "Russians") and some Machvaya from Serbia, also speaking what is considered a "Vlax" language variety. Given a long history of discrimination in Europe, NYC Roma have kept a low profile, but many have maintained community languages as well as forms of internal organization and governance such as the local kumpanija, kris, and shato.
T
he Bronx's Macedonian Roma community, several hundred families strong, grew from early migrants in the 1960s and speaks a distinctly Macedonian/Balkan variety of the Romani language distinct from those spoken by other Roma communities in the city, though there is a shift underway to Macedonian and English. The Macedonian Roma community is Muslim and worships at the Musa Mosque on 189th Street, in close proximity to Albanian, Italian, and Mexican communities in the Arthur Avenue area.
Note that the language above may be used throughout the New York area — this is just one significant site.