Roma (Gypsy)

The term "Gypsy" means anyone leading a nomadic life, but it usually refers to the Roma, who are a traditionally nomadic people found throughout the world. The Roma share a common heritage that sets them apart as an ethnic group.

Not much is known about the early history of the Roma. They left India in waves as early as the 5th century, but most migrations happened in the 11th century, after the Muslim invasions of India. During the early 14th century, the Roma traveled west across Iran into Asia Minor, and from there most went to Europe through Greece. The Roma first arrived in Europe over 500 years ago, and were called "gypsies" because of the incorrect belief that they had come from Egypt. They were well received in Europe at first, but their unfamiliar customs and closed society soon caused them to be unwelcome. The Roma in Spain were free under Muslim rule until the Christian reconquest in 1492. After that there were several laws prohibiting Romani dress, language and customs. The Roma in France were expelled from Paris in 1539, and had to leave England in 1563 under the threat of death. In the beginning of the 15th century, many Roma were forced into slavery by Hungarian and Romanian nobles who needed laborers for their large estates.

There was also a severe amount of persecution during World War II, when over 500,000 Roma perished in Nazi concentration camps. They were forced into government sponsored assimilation programs depriving them of their language and culture. Even today they are still persecuted and under pressure to abandon their nomadic life.

The Roma are dispersed throughout western Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Americas. Because of this, the Romani culture varies in different areas of the world. One thing that all Romani have in common is a strong sense of group identity. They are very family oriented, and the elderly are held in high regard. This culture stresses the sacredness of its traditions. They see contact with "non-Roma" as polluting. This view probably came from the religious beliefs of their Hindu ancestors. However, they usually adopt the religious faith of the countries they live in.

Most Roma speak some form of the Romani language, which comes from a number of dialects from the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. However, some Romani speak with dialects of local languages mixed with some Romani. This language is more spoken than written because of the high illiteracy rates in most Roma communities.

The various Romani tribes are divided into clans. Each clan is composed of families related by common descent or historical association. Leaders sometimes are titled 'King' or 'Queen', which are given as signs of respect and don't usually mean political leadership. Disputes are settled by an informal court called 'kris' that decides matters of law and custom. The worst punishment the kris gives is exclusion from the community. Romani women usually marry around 12 or 13 years of age. The marriages are arranged by the couple's parents, showing a desire to create alliances between families. It is common for the family of the groom to pay the family of the bride a dowry or bride-price to make up for the family's loss of their daughter and to guarantee that she will be treated well by her new family.

The Roma also have a great influence on arts in Europe, with Roma fortune tellers, dancing bears, and caravans. Many Roma work as musicians and entertainers, and have had a strong influence in music. Musical traditions still flourish in much of Eastern Europe, especially Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. However, the Roma also have occupations in blacksmitthing, metal work, trading, peddling, fortune telling and healing, and crafts.

Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on Roma culture.

Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the URL of this page.

If you are Roma, your feedback is much appreciated.

"Romani.org." Romani.org Home Page http://www.romani.org (5 Oct 2000)

Written By: Jari Lundquist