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TheManouche are aRomani subgroup who have lived inFrance andSwitzerland since at least the 18th century.[1] The term Manouche is the self-ascribed name of the FrenchSinti.[2] The word "manouche" means "man" or "human being" in theRomani language, and is closelycognate to the word for "man" in many modern Indian languages such asHindiमनुष्य (manuṣya) andBanglaমানুষ (mānuṣa). TheirRomani dialect, cognate to the one used by German Sinti, exhibits strong German influence.[3] They are nowadays primary French-speaking, though the dialect of French they use exhibits many linguistic peculiarities compared to standard French.[4]
From 1926-1973,Pro Juventute, a Swiss children's charity, with the support of Swiss authorities, committed crimes against humanity against theYenish,Manouche, andSinti people in Switzerland by forcibly removing children from their families and placing them in foster homes, adoptive families, and correctional institutions through theKinder der Landstrasse (Children of the Open Road) project. This was part of a wider effort to forcibly assimilate these traditionally nomadic communities into the sedentary Swiss society. In February 2025, the Swiss government formally acknowledged that the forced removals and assimilation efforts constitute a crime against humanity under international law.[5]
