who are the roma people

The Roma people, also known as Romani or Romanies, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group with origins tracing back to northern India. They traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle and have since dispersed widely, primarily residing in Europe, especially in countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. The Romani speak an Indo-Aryan language called Romani, which has several dialects influenced by Persian, Armenian, Byzantine Greek, and South Slavic languages. The word "Roma" itself means "man" in their language. Historically, the Roma migrated from India around 1,000 to 1,500 years ago, spreading through the Middle East into Europe. Their culture is rich and diverse, with significant contributions to music, dance, and crafts. Despite their cultural importance, Roma have often faced discrimination, marginalization, and persecution throughout history. They have been widely misunderstood and sometimes derogatorily referred to as "Gypsies," a term many consider offensive. Today, the Roma are Europe's largest ethnic minority, with some populations accounting for up to 12% of the population in countries like Romania and Bulgaria. They are known for their resilience and efforts to maintain their cultural identity despite social challenges and exclusion.