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There are an estimated 1 million Roma in the United States [6] and between 800,000 and 1 million in Brazil, most of whose ancestors emigrated in the 19th century from eastern Europe. Brazilian Romani are mostly descendant from German/Italian Sinti (in the South/Southeast regions), and Roma and Calon people.
- 5,255–80,000
- 205,007–825,000 (0.6%)
- 105,000 (0.1%)
- 225,000 (0.4%)
- Who Are Roma?
- Where Do Roma Come from?
- What Did Roma do?
- How Were They Treated?
- Is It OK to Call Roma “Gypsies”?
- What’s The Difference Between Roma and Travellers?
- How Many Roma Are there?
- What’s The Situation For Roma in Europe Today?
- What Impact Does This have?
- Why Is This Happening?
The word “Roma” means “man” and refers to lots of different sub-groups, including Kalderash in south-eastern Europe; Romanichals in England; Sinti in Germany, Italy, and France; Kalé in Wales, Finland, Spain and Portugal; and Gitano from Spain, as well as many others. Roma identify themselves differently according to history, language and professio...
Historians think the Roma’s ancestors first arrived in Europe from northern India, through what is now Iran, Armenia and Turkey. They gradually spread their way across the whole of Europe from the 9th century onwards.
Traditionally, they travelled from place to place, although the majority of Roma are now “sedentary” (settled in one place). They included artisans (for example, wood and copper craft workers), farm workers, blacksmiths, musicians, fortune-tellers and entertainers. At first, they were welcomed for their skills, but governments and the church soon s...
In many regions, Roma were forced into slavery, a practice which continued into the 19th century in Romania and elsewhere. Roma were also sentenced to death throughout the medieval era in England, Switzerland and Denmark. This later grew into organized persecution. Many countries, including Germany, Poland and Italy, ordered the expulsion of all Ro...
In most languages, “gypsy” is considered insulting and is rejected by Roma organizations. “Roma” is the right word to use for all related groups, regardless of their country of origin. It became the accepted global term in 1971, when representatives of Roma communities adopted a flag, anthem and international day (8 April). However, there are some ...
Travellers have a different ethnicity to Roma, and live in countries across Europe including France, Ireland and the UK. They often maintain a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, unlike most Roma.
There is no official or reliable count of Romani populations worldwide. In Europe, there are between 10 and 12 million Roma. Most of them – around two thirds – live in central and eastern European countries, where they make up between 5 and 10 per cent of the population. There are also sizeable Romani minorities in western Europe, especially in Ita...
Millions of Roma live in isolated slums, often without any electricity or running water, and struggle to get the health care they need. Many live with the daily threat of forced evictions, police harassment and violent attacks. Romani children also often suffer segregation in schools and receive a lower standard of education.
Roma have more health problems, worse housing and lower literacy levels than non-Roma people. In central and eastern Europe, they can expect to live 10 years less than others. On average, they also earn less and are more likely to be unemployed. Without good jobs, they can’t afford proper housing, good health care, or a quality education for their ...
This situation is not the inevitable result of poverty. It’s because of centuries of prejudice and discrimination from governments, institutions and individuals. Together, they have pushed the great majority of Roma to the margins of society – and kept them there.
WikiProject. v. t. e. 1552 woodcut of a Romani family. The Romani people are a distinct ethnic and cultural group of peoples living all across the globe, who share a family of languages and sometimes a traditional nomadic mode of life. [1] Though their exact origins are unclear, central India is a notable point of origin. [2]
An Indo-Aryan ethnic group, the Roma originated in the northern Indian region of Punjab thousands of years ago. There are conflicting estimates on the timeline, but Britannica estimates...
Nov 29, 2022 · The Historical and Ongoing Persecution Of Gypsies In Europe. Originating in Northern India, the Romani people began their journey west to Europe by the 11th century and reached areas like the Byzantine Empire by the 12th century. The Romani have faced substantial discrimination for hundreds of years, including bounties on the heads of Romani ...
Nov 17, 2021 · A Romani community near Kezmarok, Slovakia. An analysis of 100 years of scientific papers, most published in the last 30 years, contained “shocking surprises.”
Roma have even been forgotten by history. Over centuries they have been enslaved and persecuted, culminating in the Porajmos, a word that means ‘devouring’ in Romani - the genocide of over half a million Roma in Nazi concentration camps. To this day, we commemorate August 2 - the day thousands of Roma were murdered in the gas chambers at ...
