Kale (Welsh Roma)
The Kale (also Kalá, Valshanange; Welsh: Roma yng Nghymru, Sipsiwn Cymreig, Cale) are a group of Romani people in Wales. Many claim to be descendants of Abram Wood, who was the first Rom to reside permanently and exclusively in Wales in the early 18th century, although Romanichal Travellers have appeared in Wales since the 16th century. Welsh Kale are almost exclusively found in Northwest Wales, specifically the Welsh-speaking areas. Romanichal Travellers inhabit South Wales (in and around Cardiff, Swansea and Newport) and North East Wales (in and around Wrexham as well as in parts of Wales close to Liverpool and Chester).
Kalá, Valshanange | |
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A Welsh Kale family, 1951 | |
| Total population | |
| 700 to 1,000 (1991, est.) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Northwestern Wales | |
| Languages | |
| Welsh, English; historically Welsh Romani | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Romanichal |
| Part of a series on |
| Romani people |
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Romani people by sub-group
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Romani diaspora by country
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Generally speaking, the Kale have employed a tribal structure in which a group of several family units would be under the authority of a male chieftain. However some Kale families are matriarchal with a senior woman being chosen by consensus among the other women of the family to take the leadership role.
The Welsh Kale are extremely closely related to English Romanichal Travellers, Scottish Lowland Romany Travellers, Norwegian and Swedish Romanisæl Travellers and Finnish Kale. They are considered part of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community.