History of the Romani people

The Romani people, also referred to as Roma or Romanis, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who principally live in Europe.

The origins of the Romanis' ancestors can be traced back to South Asia. They may have migrated north from present-day Rajasthan and Sindh to present-day Punjab around 250 BC. Their subsequent northwestward migration began in the 5th century, and they settled in Persia from the 6th century and Armenia from the 8th century, before arriving in the Balkans via Anatolia during the Byzantine era. The first appearance of Romanis in western Europe is linked to their journey from the Balkans in the 15th and 16th centuries, often as pilgrims travelling in organised groups of between 40 and 200 people. By the 16th century, they were present throughout western and northern Europe.

The traditional Romani language reflects the migratory history of its speakers, consisting of Indo-Aryan roots and significant input from Persian, Armenian, and Greek. Influences from minority languages also demonstrate their history of living on the margins of society. Despite this, many Romanis today do not speak the language, largely due to their exposure to a history of forced assimilation efforts. Romani culture has been influenced by their time spent under various reigns and empires, notably the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

Throughout their history, Romanis have made notable contributions to European society, particularly in fields such as craftsmanship, music, dance, politics, trade, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. Early records from the Balkans describe them as skilled labourers and craftsmen.