Romani people

Romani people
Group	Romani people
Population	2–20 million (estimates vary widely)
Popplace	Significant populations in Europe, particularly Central and Eastern Europe, and the Americas
Languages	Romani, languages of host countries
Religions	Predominantly Christianity, with minorities adhering to Islam
Related groups	Dom, Lom

Romani people. The Romani are a traditionally itinerant ethnic group with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent, having migrated to Europe and other parts of the world. Known for their distinct culture and language, they have faced centuries of persecution and social marginalization. Today, they form significant minority populations across the continent and in the Americas.

History

Genetic and linguistic evidence traces their origins to groups in northern India, with a significant migration through the Sasanian Empire and the Byzantine Empire into Europe by the 14th century. Early European records, such as those from the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, often referred to them as "Egyptians," leading to the exonym "Gypsies." Their history in Europe is marked by periods of both tolerance and severe repression, including laws enacted in England under Henry VIII and in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition that sought to forcibly assimilate or expel them. Throughout the Early modern period, many were enslaved in the Danubian Principalities, a practice not abolished until the 19th century.

Demographics

Population estimates are highly uncertain due to widespread undercounting and self-identification issues, with figures ranging from 2 to 20 million globally. The largest concentrations are in Central Europe and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia. Significant communities also exist in Western Europe, including Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as in the Americas, notably the United States and Brazil. The European Union has recognized them as the continent's largest ethnic minority.

Culture

Romani culture is diverse but often characterized by strong family and clan loyalty, encapsulated in concepts like *Romanipen*. Traditional gender roles are frequently distinct, with emphasis on family honor. Musical traditions are profoundly influential, having shaped genres like Flamenco in Andalusia, Jazz manouche in France, and contributing to the classical music of composers like Franz Liszt. Other notable cultural elements include traditional crafts, fortune-telling, and a rich oral history. Prominent cultural figures include guitarist Django Reinhardt and actor Michael Caine.

Language

The Romani language is central to their identity, an Indo-Aryan language closely related to those of modern India and Pakistan, such as Hindi and Punjabi. It has diverged into numerous dialects, influenced by contact languages like Greek, Romanian, and German. Many also speak para-Romani languages, which mix Romani vocabulary with the grammar of a dominant local language. The language has been codified and promoted by organizations like the International Romani Union.

Society

Social organization has traditionally been based on extended family groups and larger subdivisions often referred to as *natsiya* or tribes, such as the Kalderash, Lovari, and Sinti. Leadership is frequently vested in respected elders or a *kris* (tribal court). While many communities were historically nomadic, living in vardo wagons, state policies across Europe in the 20th century, particularly during the Communist era in Eastern Europe, forced large-scale settlement. Contemporary issues include high levels of unemployment and social exclusion within many host societies.

Persecution and discrimination

They have endured systematic persecution for centuries, known as *Antiziganism*. This included enslavement, forced assimilation, and expulsions, such as the 18th-century Great Round-up in Spain. The most extreme persecution was the Porajmos, their genocide under the Nazi regime, where hundreds of thousands were murdered in camps like Auschwitz. Discrimination persists in modern times, manifesting in widespread social prejudice, segregation in housing and education, police violence, and political rhetoric from figures like the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against several states for discriminatory practices.

Category:Ethnic groups