The “Black Sarah” (Sara la Noire), also known as Sara-la-Kali in Romani, is venerated as the patron saint of the Roma community. The center of her veneration is Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue, Southern France, which is an important pilgrimage site for Roma people.

Various legends exist about her origin:

• Servant of the Holy Marys: The most common legend states that Sara was the servant of one of the “Three Marys” (Mary Salome and Mary Jacobé), who, according to tradition, arrived in the Camargue by boat after the crucifixion of Jesus. Sara is said to have been with them during this journey from Palestine.
• Local princess: Another legend describes Sara as a local princess of high birth who welcomed the Holy Marys when they arrived in the Camargue.
• Roma by birth: According to another tradition, Sara was one of the first Roma to embrace Christianity and a leader of her tribe on the banks of the Rhône.

Despite the different stories about her origin, Black Sarah is an important symbol for the Roma people. Every year, on May 24th and 25th, thousands of Roma from all over Europe come to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for a large pilgrimage in her honor. During these festivities, a statue of Black Sarah is carried in procession to the sea for a blessing.

Some scholars see a possible link between the veneration of Black Sarah and the Hindu goddess Kali (“the black one”). This could be related to the Roma people’s origins in Northern India around the 9th century. It is suggested that the figure of Black Sarah could be a syncretic, Christianized manifestation of Kali.

Although Black Sarah is a central figure in the folk religion of the Roma and many Catholic pilgrims, she is not officially recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Her statue is located in the crypt of the church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where it is visited by pilgrims and where vows and offerings are made.