Xoraxane (term)

Xoraxane (also spelled as Khorakhane, Khorakhanè, Horahane, Kharokane, Xoraxai, lit. ‘those of the Quran’) is a Romani term of Turkish origin used to refer to Muslim Romani people.^[1] Xoroxane generally trace their faith back to ancestors who converted during the Ottoman period in the Balkans, or the Sultanate of Rûm in Anatolia. They are culturally and linguistically Turkified.^[2][3][4] While they are primarily concentrated in the Balkans, they are dispersed across Europe, and to a lesser extent, the Americas.^[1][5]

Xoroxane are often cultural or nominal Muslims.^[6][7] While traditionally affiliated with Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school of thought, today, they are often non-denominational. One of the largest religious orders of Jerrahi outside Turkey is located at the largest Arlije and Gurbeti Muslim Romani settlement in Europe, in Šuto Orizari (Shutka), North Macedonia. They have their own mosque and Romani Imam^[8] and use the Quran in the Romani language.^[9]

The majority of Xoroxane in the former Yugoslavia speak Balkan Romani and South Slavic languages, while many speak only the language from the host countries. The Albanized Xoroxane groups in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, speak only the Albanian language and are called Khorakhan Shiptari; they have fully adopted the Albanian culture.^[10] Turkish Roma, or Türk Çingeneler, speak only the Turkish language, have fully adopted Turkish culture, and often consider themselves to be exclusively Turkic.^[4]