Olfactory Stereotyping and Anti-Roma Racism: The Cultural Significance of ‘Roma Smell’ in Slovene Anthropology, History, Literature, and Criminology

Abstract The article draws on various sources about Roma in Slovenia to show the role of body odour and illustrate the role of perceived odour in racial discri- mination and in maintaining distinctions between the majority population and the Roma. The cultural significance of Roma body odour is a complex and multi-layered topic, traceable in several sources dating back to the 19 th century. The odour associated with the Roma has been described from various perspectives. In anthropology, the study of Roma odour provides valuable insights into cultural perceptions and stereotypes about the Roma community. Throughout history, the depiction of Roma odour in literature has often reflected societal prejudices, perpetuating negative stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes towards this marginalised group. Literary works frequently emphasise the bad odour of this ethnic group, while paradoxically ascribing to the Roma an excellent sense of smell, often used metaphorically to represent subtle intuition. In criminology discourse, the association of Roma odour with criminality highlights the interconnectedness of ethnicity and the criminal justice system.