Lom
Bosha

Bosha gypsies, 19th century
Regions with significant populations
Georgia	2,000[1]
Turkey	~1,000[2]
Languages
Lomavren, Armenian, Georgian, Turkish
Religion
Islam (In Turkey)

The Lom people or Turkish: Lomlar, also known in Turkish: Poşa as (Bosha or Posha) by non-Loms (Armenian: Բոշա, Georgian: ბოშა, romanized: bosha; Russian: Боша) or Romani^[3] (Russian: армянские цыгане; Armenian: հայ գնչուներ) or Caucasian Romani^[3] (Russian: кавказские цыгане), are an ethnic group originating from India.^[4] Their Lomavren language is a mixed language, combining an Indo-Aryan substrate with Armenian.

Number

The exact number of existing Bosha is difficult to determine, due to the dispersed and often mostly-assimilated nature of the group. Estimates suggest only a few thousand of the people can be found across Armenia and Georgia, while the Armenian Government's census reports only 50 living in the former.^[11]

Distribution

Concentrations of Bosha can be found in Yerevan and Gyumri in Armenia. Some of the Bosha in Armenia have adopted the Armenian language and assimilated with the larger Armenian population.^[12] In Georgia they live in such cities as Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe.^[4] They are noted for such occupations as sievemakers.

In Turkey the Lomlar adopted Islam at the 19th century and assimilated Turkish culture. They mostly live in Artvin, Rize, Ardahan and Kars and identify themselves as Meshketian Turks, hiding their Lom origins, while taking Armenian words from their contact with the Hemshin.