The
Romani people, also referred to as the
Roma or
Gypsies, are an
ethnic group who live primarily in
Europe. They are believed to have originated in the northern part of the
Indian subcontinent. They began their migration to
Europe and
North Africa via the
Iranian plateau about 1,000 years ago.
The reason for their
diaspora remains unknown.
Origin
The absence of a written history has meant that the origin and early history of the Romani people was long an enigma. Indian (mixed) origin, was suggested on linguistic grounds as early as 200 years ago. One theory suggests that the name ultimately derives from a form
ḍōmba- 'man of low caste living by singing and music', attested in Classical Sanskrit.Cf. Ralph L. Turner,
A comparative dictionary of the Indo-Aryan languages, p. 314. London: Oxford University Press, 1962-6.
Linguistic evidence indicates the Romanies originated from the
Rajasthani people, emigrating from India towards the northwest no earlier than the 11th century. Contemporary populations sometimes suggested as sharing a close relationship to the Romani are the
Dom people of Central Asia and the
Banjara of India.
Genetic evidence is connecting the
Romani people and the
Jat people, the descendants of groups which emigrated from India towards Central Asia during the medieval period. similarities shared with several populations...
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