Gypsies, also known as Romani or Roma people, are an ethnic group that originated in northern India and migrated to Europe around the 11th century. They have long been misunderstood and discriminated against. The term “gypsy” is considered derogatory due to its usage to promote harmful stereotypes. This article will examine the history of gypsy people, their culture, and the more appropriate terms used to describe them today.
What is the origin of the term “gypsy”?
The word “gypsy” comes from the Middle English word “gypcian,” which was a shortened version of “Egipcien,” meaning Egyptian. This reflects a common misconception when Romani people first arrived in Europe that they came from Egypt. In reality, linguistic evidence suggests the Romani language originated in northern India as early as 500 AD. The Romani people likely left India in waves beginning around 1000 AD and settled in present-day Turkey, Greece, Serbia, and Romania. Over the following centuries, they continued migrating throughout Europe.
The term “gypsy” was often used negatively from the start, implying this group was pagan, uneducated, and exotic. Romani people faced intense persecution, enslavement, expulsion, and genocide attempts. They were outsiders wherever they went, contributing to their nomadic lifestyle. While “gypsy” was acceptable in the past, many now consider it an offensive slur.
What do Romani people call themselves?
Romani people use the terms Rom and Roma as self-identifiers. This reflects their origins in northern India in the region that was once called Rom. The term Roma gradually replaced Rom as the most commonly used name for this ethnic group.
There are also subgroups of Romani people throughout Europe who use regional names. These include:
– Sinti – Found in Germany and north-central Europe
– Kale – Found in Spain, Portugal, and Finland
– Manush – Found in France
– Romanichal – Found in England and Wales
– Boyash – Found in Romania and Moldova
So in summary, the universal terms used by Romani people are Roma and Romani. Regional subgroups may also self-identify with more specific names.
What are appropriate terms to use externally?
When discussing this ethnic group as an outsider, the terms Roma and Romani people are recommended. Some also use Romany as a descriptive term. These help convey respect by using the names Romani people use for themselves.
The term gypsy should be avoided as it promotes harmful stereotypes. Other outdated terms like bohemian, zingari, gitano, and gipsy are also inappropriate and sometimes offensive. Using Romani helps acknowledge this group’s Indian heritage, rather than incorrect associations with Egypt.
Here is a summary of appropriate vs. inappropriate terms:
| Appropriate Terms | Inappropriate/Outdated Terms |
|---|---|
| Roma | Gypsy |
| Romani (people) | Bohemian |
| Romany | Zingari |
What is the culture and lifestyle of Romani people?
Romani culture emphasizes family and clan loyalty, as well as ethnic pride. Traditional values include loyalty, solidarity, generosity, and hospitality. Romani people have strong oral traditions of storytelling, folktales, and music.
Music and dance are integral parts of Romani culture. Romani music has influenced genres like flamenco in Spain, jazz and bolero in Latin America, and pop and rock music globally. Famous Romani musicians include jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and flamenco guitarist Manitas de Plata. Romani dance styles are also incorporated into folk dance forms like the czardas in Hungary.
Romani people traditionally worked in trades like metalworking, horse trading, fortune-telling, and entertainment. More recently, many work as merchants, traders, or musicians. Due to continued discrimination, Romani unemployment rates remain high.
Family units form the foundation of Romani society. Extended family live together in households or caravans. Marriages are typically arranged and occur young. Traditional gender roles dominate, with women responsible for household duties and childcare.
Romani people maintain nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles in many regions. Some travel in motorhomes today, while others settle permanently in cities and villages. Wherever they live, strong communities help preserve their culture, language, and traditions.
How many Romani people live around the world?
There are an estimated 10-12 million Roma worldwide. About 75% live in settled communities rather than nomadic lifestyles today. Here is a breakdown by region:
| Region | Roma Population |
|---|---|
| Europe | 8-10 million |
| Americas | ~800,000 |
| Middle East and North Africa | ~200,000 |
| Asia | ~1.5 million |
The largest Romani populations are found in Turkey, Spain, Romania, France, Brazil, and the United States. However, Roma live across all continents.
The Romani population faced genocide during the Holocaust, with estimates of 220,000 to 1.5 million murdered. Today’s populations reflect post-World War II migration patterns and growth.
What languages do Romani people speak?
The Romani language is part of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. It has common roots with languages like Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. Romani contains many loanwords borrowed from other languages encountered in their migrations. Dialects vary significantly between regions.
Most Romani people are multilingual, also speaking the dominant language of their country of residence. For example, Romani in Spain also speak Spanish, while those in France also speak French.
Here are some characteristics of the Romani language:
– Originated in northern India
– No traditional written form – passed orally
– Rich vocabulary dealing with trades, law, and culture
– Regional dialects differ significantly
– Borrows vocabulary from contact languages
– Uses some archaic grammar forms
– Written with the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet
Efforts to standardize written Romani began in the 1990s. Broadcasting and publications in Romani also help expand literary use. However, Romani languages remain primarily vernacular.
What religions do Romani people follow?
Religious beliefs of Romani people reflect the dominant faiths of the regions where they live. The majority belong to one of the following faiths:
– Orthodox Christianity – in southeastern Europe, Russia, and the Baltic states
– Catholic Christianity – in western and southern Europe and Latin America
– Islam – in the Middle East and North Africa
– Protestantism – in Germany, Britain, and Scandinavia
Romani people are generally integrated into major established churches. However, some pre-Christian beliefs and superstitions often syncretize with official doctrines. Examples include believing in magic, curses, and the evil eye. Romani fortune-tellers and healers practice divination and natural magic.
Smaller Romani populations follow Hinduism, especially in the Middle East. Up to 20% of Romani are atheist, agnostic, or non-religious.
Overall, faith communities play an important cultural role for Romani people. However, they maintain religious flexibility and adaptation based on their locations.
What is the Romani flag and anthem?
The Romani flag was created in 1933 at the First World Romani Congress. It features horizontal blue and green bands representing the heavens and earth, with a 16-spoked chakra wheel in red symbolizing migration and the Indian origins of the Roma people.
The Romani anthem “Gelem, Gelem” was also adopted at this congress. It was composed by Žarko Jovanović, a Serbian Romani violinist. The lyrics promote unity and Romani ethnic pride:
Gelem, gelem lungone dromensa
Maladilem bakhtale Romensa
A Romale katar tumen aven,
E tsarensa bahktale dromensa
I traveled a long road,
Hard road of the Roma,
All Roma from everywhere,
Join hands on our road
What are some common stereotypes of Romani people?
Romani people face many damaging stereotypes that contribute to their marginalization:
– Nomadic – While many Romani groups maintain mobile lifestyles, over 75% live in settled communities today. Perpetuating the idea that they are always nomadic promotes distrust.
– Criminals – Romani people are often associated with illegal activities like stealing, kidnapping, and fortune-telling scams. In reality, they engage in both lawful and unlawful livelihoods like any ethnic group.
– Uneducated – Romani culture values practical skills gained through apprenticeships. But rates of formal education are improving, especially among settled communities.
– Exotic/Mysterious – Myths about Romani people lead to depictions of them as magical, fierce, romanticized outsiders. In reality, they share similar desires for family, careers, and community as anyone.
– Economically backward – While poverty rates are higher among Romani, this is largely due to social exclusion, discrimination in hiring, and barriers to education. High unemployment does not mean an inability or unwillingness to work.
These stereotypes promote harmful prejudices against Romani people. More accurate representations focus on their vibrant culture, strong traditions, and diversity across communities.
What discrimination do Romani people face?
Romani people face pervasive discrimination in employment, housing, education, healthcare, and public services.
Antiziganism, or anti-Romani racism, remains widespread in Europe. Amnesty International considers Romani people “Europe’s largest ethnic minority and most disadvantaged community.” Discriminatory acts include:
– Exclusion from schools
– Forced evictions and segregation
– Lack of access to healthcare
– Racial profiling and police abuse
– Workplace discrimination
– Hate speech and violence
During the Holocaust, the Nazis deemed Romani people “racially inferior.” Up to 1.5 million were killed alongside Jews in the Porajmos genocide.
Today, hate crimes and race-motivated murders of Romani persist across Central and Eastern Europe. Between 2008-2015, there were over 120 Romani homicide victims reported in Hungary and the Czech Republic alone.
Progress toward Romani equality has been limited. But ongoing advocacy to combat racism and protect minority rights offer hope for the future.
Conclusion
The Roma or Romani people have faced misconceptions and persecution since migrating from India to Europe 1000 years ago. But despite continued discrimination, they have retained their strong cultural identity, close-knit communities, and proud traditions.
Shedding negative stereotypes and using accurate terms is important for improving how broader society views and treats Romani people. Respecting their heritage, creativity, and resilience allows us to see Romani people for who they truly are – not the harmful myths and stereotypes assigned to them for centuries.