According to archives, the Roma community first appeared in Georgia during the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Roma numbers increased during World War II. Today, the Roma who permanently reside in Georgia are their descendants, while some Roma are seasonal visitors from Azerbaijan.

When speaking about the Caucasus region, it must be said that wars and conflicts are inevitable. One of this conflict happened now in partially recognised state Abkhazia, between the eastern shores of the Black Sea and Caucasus mountains. The Abkhazian War (1992-1993) was fought between Georgian government forces and Abkhaz separatists, backed by Russian forces and North Caucasian militants. Ethnic Georgians in Abkhazia supported the Georgian government, while many ethnic Armenians and Russians sided with the Abkhazians. The war impacted many ethnic groups, including the Roma. The thirteen-month civil war that forcing many to flee and migrate to other areas.

The conflict in Sukhum, the capital city of Abkhazia, significantly impacted the Romani community, which had been a thriving center of Romani life in the Black Sea region. The Romani population in Sukhum decreased from a thriving center to a few hundred people, and many Roma abandoned the city. Georgian military authorities harassed Romani men, forcing them to join their forces. Those who resisted were beaten and threatened with family death. Despite these threats, many Roma refused, leading to robberies and violence. Those who stayed endured robberies, violence, and home invasions, with families reporting forced entry, demands for money and gold, and physical abuse. The Romani leader, Mr. Bambur, tragically died after being tortured by military authorities. According to witness Mr. Kazachenko, Georgian soldiers publicly shot two Romani girls, aged 15 and 17, and a 20-year-old Romani man. It’s unclear if the soldiers were ever disciplined. He also reported that in December 1992, soldiers rounded up about 50 Romani adults and children, drove them to an abandoned building, and threatened them with machine guns, demanding gold. 

During the war, discrimination was common. Food, especially bread, was prioritized for ethnic Abkhazians, with Roma often being chased from queues. Roma also faced discrimination from local Red Cross staff, and the shortage of food and medicine continues to cause tension.

Before the war, many Romani children attended school, but most have since stopped to help support their families. Fathers, like Abkhazian men, are barred from entering Russia due to age restrictions, so young boys take their place. The war left Abkhazia's Roma community with severe losses, causing depression and forcing many to flee.

During the war, most Roma fled north to Krasnodar Krai in Russia, while others sought refuge in Kutaisi, joining relatives in existing settlements across Georgia. Romani IDP families from Abkhazia are scattered in areas like the Samgori district of Tbilisi, living without documentation or knowledge of government assistance programs for displaced persons. Smaller groups of Romani IDPs are also found in other settlements across Georgia.

In 2002, many Roma returned to Abkhazia after fleeing the 1992-93 conflict to Russia. They resettled in northern Sukhumi, reclaiming homes abandoned during the war. Over time, more Roma joined, citing harassment in Russia as a reason for returning. These Roma reported better conditions than those in Georgia, with many holding Russian and Abkhaz citizenship, receiving medical care, and earning income from local market trade. Few children attend school, but they do not resort to begging.

The Roma community in the Caucasus, like many other ethnic groups, has been deeply affected by the region's conflicts. Despite the hardships of war and displacement, Roma in Abkhazia and Georgia continue to navigate difficult conditions, rebuilding their lives while holding onto their traditions and adapting to new challenges. Stability and peace in the Caucasus should be a priority not only for the Roma and other ethnic groups but also for the local population.