Journal Article

“From father to son”: The occupational inheritance of Lăutari musicians. A sociological study

Frunză, Stelian, Vulpe, Simona-Nicoleta

2024

Overview

This article examines the processes of professional heritage and socialization among Lăutari, traditional Roma musicians in Romania. Drawing on autoethnographic data and thematic content analysis of interviews published in Formula AS magazine, the study explores how musical skills, cultural knowledge, and professional identities are transmitted across generations. The research confirms the predominantly patrilineal nature of occupational inheritance in this community, but reveals a more complex picture of professional socialization. It highlights the crucial role of immersion in a musical environment from an early age, the importance of family and community networks in facilitating learning, and the often overlooked contributions of women in sustaining these traditions. The study also examines the tensions between traditional modes of transmission and modern educational pathways, reflecting broader social changes affecting the Lăutari community. By focusing on this specific group, the article contributes to sociological discussions on occupational inheritance, cultural capital transmission, and the negotiation of traditional identities in modernizing societies, while also shedding light on the adaptations of a marginalized ethnic minority maintaining their professional traditions in contemporary Romania.

• Publisher: University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work,Universitatea din Bucuresti, Facultatea de Sociologie si Asistenta Sociala,University of Bucharest, Department of Sociology, Doctoral School of Sociology
• Subject: Adjustment / Community / Community change / Content analysis / Cultural capital / Cultural groups / Cultural heritage / Cultural identity / Ethnic groups / Ethnic identity / Ethnic Minorities Studies / Fathers / Fine Arts / Performing Arts / Inheritance / Inheritance and succession / Kinship networks / Marginality / Minority & ethnic groups / Minority groups / Modernization / Music / Musicians / Musicians & conductors / Professional identity / Professional socialization / Romani people / Social change / Social Sciences / Socialization / Sociology / Sociology of the arts, business, education / Traditions / Weddings / Women / Work skills