Romani diaspora

The Romani diaspora refers to the presence and dispersion of Romani people across various parts of the world. Their migration out of the Indian subcontinent occurred in waves, with the first estimated to have taken place between the 1st and 2nd century AD.^[2][3] They first arrived in Europe via the Balkans in the early 12th century. They settled in the areas of present-day Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Moldova, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Hungary, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia, by order of volume, and Spain. From the Balkans, they migrated throughout Europe and, in the nineteenth and later centuries, to the Americas. The Roma population in the United States is estimated at more than one million.^[4]

Countries with a significant Romani population according to unofficial estimates.

  + 1,000,000

  + 100,000

  + 10,000

Distribution of the Romani people in Europe (2007 Council of Europe "average estimates", totalling 9.8 million)^[1]
* The size of the wheel symbols reflects absolute population size
* The gradient reflects the percent in the country's population: 0%                              10%.

Romani people are predominantly found in Europe, particularly in the Balkans, parts of Central Europe and Spain. The total number of Romani living outside Europe are primarily in the Middle East and North Africa and in the Americas, and are estimated in total at more than two million.^[5][6] Most Romani populations overseas were founded in the 19th century by emigration from Europe. There were Roma with Christopher Columbus on his third voyage to Hispaniola in 1498.^[7] Some countries do not collect data by ethnicity. As of the early 2000s, an estimated 4 to 9 million Romani people lived in Europe and Asia Minor,^[8] although some Romani organizations estimate numbers as high as 14 million.^[9]

There is no official or reliable count of the Romani populations worldwide.^[10] Many Roma refuse to register their ethnic identity in official censuses for fear of discrimination.^[11] There are also descendants of intermarriage with local populations who no longer identify exclusively as Roma, or who do not identify as Roma at all.

The Romani people identify as distinct ethnicities based in part on territorial, religious, cultural and dialectal differences, and self-designation. The main branches are:^{[12][13][14][15]}

1. Roma, concentrated in Central and Eastern Europe and Italy; they emigrated (mostly from the 19th century onwards) to the rest of Europe as well as the Americas. The name Roma is also used as a collective name for all Romani people.

Romani people dancing at a Romani wedding in Sofia, Bulgaria, 1936

1. Calé, mostly in Spain (see Gitanos), but also in Portugal (see Romani people in Portugal), Southern France, and Latin America
2. Finnish Kale, in Finland; communities also exist in Sweden.
3. Welsh Kale, in Wales, specifically in the Northwestern part of the country in Welsh-speaking areas
4. Romanichal, in England. Communities also exist in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Northeast Wales, South Wales and in the Scottish Borders.

Romani people with their horse and vardo (Romani wagon) in Epsom, England, 1938

1. Sinti, in German-speaking areas of Europe and some neighboring countries
2. Manush, in French-speaking areas of Europe (in French: Manouche)
3. Romanisæl, in Sweden and Norway. The Romani-Swedish population is mostly located in the southern parts of the country.
4. Kalderash, in Central and Eastern Europe. Also present in parts of Northern Europe.
5. Scottish Lowland Roma are also considered to be a Romani subgroup although their heritage is theorised to be a fusion between Roma and a native Traveller group. Their language is predominantly derived from Romani.
6. Muslim Roma, Horahane, Romanlar in Turkey and the Balkans
7. Middle East Gypsies^[16]

The Romani have additional internal distinctions, with groups identified as Bashaldé; Churari; Lori; Ungaritza; Lovari (Lovara) from Hungary; Machvaya (Machavaya, Machwaya, or Macwaia) from Serbia; Romungro from Hungary and neighbouring Carpathian countries; Erlides (Yerlii, Arli); Xoraxai (Horahane) from Greece and Turkey; Boyash (Lingurari, Ludar, Ludari, Rudari, Zlătari) from Romanian / Moldovan miners; Ursari from Romanian / Moldovan bear-trainers; Argintari from silversmiths; Aurari from goldsmiths; Florari from florists; and Lăutari from singers.

Population by country

This is a table of Romani people by country. The list does include the Dom people, who are often subsumed under "Gypsies".

The official number of Romani people is disputed in many countries; some do not collect data by ethnicity; in others, Romani individuals may refuse to register their ethnic identity for fear of discrimination,^[17] or have assimilated and do not identify exclusively as Romani. In some cases, governments consult Romani organizations for data.

Country	Region	Population	Subgroups
Afghanistan	Central / South Asia	20,000 to 30,000[18]
Albania	Southern Europe, Balkans	8,301 (0.3%) (official 2011 census)[19]	Gabel (Vlax Roma), Jevgs
Algeria	North Africa	40,000	Kale, Xoraxane
Angola	Africa	16,000	Kale (from Portugal)
Argentina	South America	300,000	Kalderash, Boyash, Kale
Armenia	Western Asia	50[20]	Lom people
Australia	Oceania	5,000+[21]	Romanichal, Boyash
Austria	Central Europe	20,000–50,000[22][23]	Burgenland-Roma, Sinti, Lovari, Arlije from Macedonia, Kalderash from Serbia, Gurbeti from Serbia and Macedonia
Azerbaijan	Eastern Europe / Western Asia	2,000[24]	Garachi[25]
Belarus	Eastern Europe	10,000 (census data) or 50,000–60,000 (estimated data)[26][27]	Belaruska Roma, Ruska Roma, Polska Roma, Litovska Roma, Lotfitka Roma, Servy, Kalderash
Belgium	Western Europe	10,000–15,000[22]	Romungro
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Southern Europe, Balkans	12,000[28] / 58,000[29]
Brazil	South America	678,000–1,000,000	Kale, Kalderash, Machvaya, Xoraxane, Boyash
Bulgaria	Southern / Eastern Europe, Balkans	370,908 (official census) to 600,000[30]	Yerli, Gurbeti, Kalderash, Boyash, Ursari
Canada	North America	80,000[31]	Kalderash, Romanichal
Chile	South America	15,000–20,000	Xoraxane
China	Asia	9,000	Vlax (Kalderash, Lovara, Potkovari)
Colombia	South America	4,850[32][33]	Kalderash
Croatia	Central / Southern Europe, Balkans	2,500 (census results)[34] Estimated:3,000[35]	Lovari, Boyash
Cyprus	West Asia	1,250 (estimated)[36]	Kalderash, Kurbet, Mantides
Denmark	Northern Europe	1,500–2,000[22]
Ecuador	South America	2,000	Kalderash
Estonia	Northern Europe	456[37]
Finland	Northern Europe	10,000+[38][39]	Kàlo
France	Western Europe	500,000 (official estimation) 1,200,000–1,300,000 (unofficial estimation)[40][41]	Manush, Kalderash, Lovari, Sinti
Germany	Central / Western Europe	500,000[42]	mostly Sinti, but also Balkan Roma, Vlax Roma
Georgia	Eastern Europe, Western Asia	500+[43]	Roma, Domari, Lom/Bosha
Greece	Southern Europe, Balkans	200,000 or 300,000[44]	Erlides, Xoraxane,
Hungary	Central / Eastern Europe	205,984 (census);[45] 394,000–1,000,000 (estimated)[46][47][48]	Romungro, Boyash, Lovari
Iran	Western Asia	2,000−3,000[49]	Domari, Koeli, Ghorbati, Nawari, Zargar people
Iraq	Western Asia	40,000[50]
Ireland	Northern Europe	3,000[51]
Italy	Southern Europe	90,000–180,000[22] + 152,000 illegal Roma in 700 camps[52]	Sinti, Ursari, Kalderash, Xoraxane
Jordan	Western Asia	80,000[53]	Dom people
Kosovo	Southeast Europe
Latvia	Northern Europe	8,482 (2012 est.)[55] or 13,000–15,000[56]	Lofitka Roma (in same Baltic Romani dialect family as Polska Roma and Ruska Roma)
Lebanon	Western Asia	12,000	Nawar people, Dom people
Libya	North Africa	40,000	Nawar people, Dom people
Lithuania	Northern Europe	3,000–4,000[22]
Luxembourg	Western Europe	100–150[22]
North Macedonia	Southern Europe, Balkans	53,879 Roma and 3,843 Balkan Egyptians to 260,000[57]	Yerli, Gurbeti, Cergari, Egyptians
Mexico	North America	16,000	Kale, Boyash, Machwaya, Lovari, Gitanos, Kalderash[58]
Moldova	Eastern Europe	12,900 (census) to 20,000–25,000[22] or 150,000[59][60]	Rusurja, Ursari, Kalderash
Montenegro	Southern Europe, Balkans	2,601 to 20,000,[61] additionally 8,000 registered Roma refugees from Kosovo, the entire number of IDP Kosovarian Roma in Montenegro is twice as large.[61]
Morocco	North Africa	50,000	Nawar people, Dom people, Kale, Gitanos, Kalderash, Boyash
Netherlands	Western Europe	35,000–40,000[22]
New Zealand	Oceania	132[62]
Norway	Northern Europe	6,500 or more[63]	Norwegian and Swedish Travellers (Romanoar, Tavringer), Vlax[64]
Poland	Central / Eastern Europe	15,000–60,000[65][66]	Polska Roma
Portugal	Southern / Western Europe	40,000[22][67][68]
Romania	Southern / Central / Eastern Europe	621,573 (2011 census) 1,850,000 (estimated)[69][70][71]	Kalderash, Ursari, Lovari, Vlax, Romungro
Russia	Eastern Europe, North Asia	182,766 (census 2002) or 450,000–1,000,000 (estimated)[72][60]	Ruska Roma (descended from Polska Roma, from Poland), Kalderash (from Moldova), Servy (from Ukraine and Balkans), Ursari (from Bulgaria) Lovare, Wallachian Roma (from Wallachia), Boshas (from Armenia).[73]
Serbia	Southeast Europe, Balkans	147,604 (census 2011) or 400,000–800,000 (estimated)[61][74]	See Romani people in Serbia. Main sub-groups include "Turkish Gypsies", "White Gypsies", "Wallachian Gypsies" and "Hungarian Gypsies".[75]
Slovakia	Central / Eastern Europe	92,500 or 550,000[76][77][78][79][80]	Romungro
Slovenia	Central / Southern Europe, Balkans	3,246–10,000[22][81]
Spain	Southern / Western Europe	1,000,000 (official estimation)[82] 600,000–800,000[83] or 1,500,000[84][85]	Gitanos, Kalderash, Boyash, Erromintxela
Sudan	Africa	50,000	Nawar people, Dom people
Sweden	Northern Europe	30,000–65,000[86]	Swedish Travellers (Tavringer), Vlax (Kalderash, Lovara), Kàlo (Finnish Roma)
Switzerland	Central / Western Europe	30,000–35,000[22]
Syria	Western Asia	34,000[87]	Nawar people, Dom people
Tajikistan	Central Asia	2,234[88]	Dom people
Tunisia	North Africa	20,000	Nawar people, Dom people
Turkey	Southern / Eastern Europe, Balkans, Western Asia	35,000[89] to 5,000,000[90]	Bosha, Romani people in Turkey, Garachi
Ukraine	Eastern Europe	47,587 (census 2001) or 400,000 (estimated)[91]	Kelderare (Hungarian name for Kotlyary; Zakarpattia), Kotlyary (other Ukrainian regions), Ruska Roma (northern Ukraine), Servy (Serby, southern and central Ukraine, from Serbia), Lovare (central Ukraine), Kelmysh, Crymy (in Crimea), Servica Roma (in Zakarpattia from Slovakia), Ungriko Roma (in Zakarpattia from Hungary)[92][93]
United Kingdom	Northern / Western Europe	44,000–94,000+[94][21] Unspecified number of Romani immigrants from Eastern Europe (among them in 2004 there were 4,100 Vlax Roma)[32] and additionally 200,000 recent migrants[95]	Romanichal, Welsh Kale
United States	North America	1,000,000 (Romani ancestry. Romani organizations' estimate)
Uruguay	South America	2,000–5,000
Venezuela	South America	2,000–5,000	Gitanos, Gurbeti, Kalderash, Xaladitka Roma, Ciganos, Manouche

Roma (Gypsy) population by country

Country	Official	Source	Low estimate	High estimate	Note
Abkhazia*	261	(2011 census)[96]	500	600
Afghanistan	–	–	20,000	30,000
Albania	8,301	(2011 census)[19]	80,000	150,000	Roma population lives in 71 communes.
Algeria	–	–	2,500	40,000
Angola	–	–	12,000	16,000
Argentina	–	–	300,000	350,000
Armenia	48	(1989 census)[97]	2,000	2,000	Armenianized.
Artsakh*	1	(1989 census)[98]	20	25
Australia	775	(2011 census)	5,000	25,000
Austria	6,273	(2001 census)[99]	20,000	50,000
Azerbaijan	145	(1989 census)[97]	2,000	2,000
Belarus	6,848	(2019 census)[100]	25,000	70,000	Roma population lives in 104 districts.
Belgium	–	–	20,000	40,000
Bosnia and Herzegovina	12,583	(2013 census)[101]	40,000	76,000	Roma population lives in 92 municipalities. In 3 villages the Roma are the majority.
Brazil	800,000	(2010 census)	680,000	1,000,000	The 2010 IBGE Brazilian National Census encountered Romani camps in 291 of Brazil's 5,565 municipalities.
Bulgaria	325,343	(2011 census)[102]	700,000	800,000	Roma population lives in 258 municipalities. In 43 villages and 1 town, the Roma are the majority.
Canada	5,255	(2011 census)[103]	5,000	80,000
Chile	–	–	15,000	20,000
China	–	–	9,000	9,000
Colombia	4,858	(2005 census)[33]	6,000	8,000
Croatia	16,975	(2011 census)	30,000	40,000
Cyprus	–	–	1,000	1,500
Czech Republic	4,458	(2021 census)	150,000	250,000
Ecuador	–	–	2,000	2,000
Egypt	–	–	1,800,000	2,262,000
Estonia	676	(2021 census)	600	1,500
Denmark	–	–	1,000	4,000
Finland	–	–	10,000	12,000
France	–	–	500,000	1,200,000
Georgia	1,744	(1989 census)[97]	1,500	2,500
Germany	–	–	70,000	140,000
Greece	–	–	100,000	300,000
Hungary	309,632	(2016 census)[104]	600,000	1,000,000
Iran	–	–	100,000	800,000
Iraq	–	–	40,000	60,000
Ireland	30,987	(2016 census)[105]	30,000	42,000
Israel	–	–	2,000	4,000
Italy	29,438	(2018 census)[106]	120,000	180,000	Only a minority, estimated at 26,000 people, live in authorized slums. In 148 "formal" slums live 16,400 people, of which 43% are Italian. In the "tolerated" micro-settlement there are 9,600 Roma with Romanian 86% and Bulgarian 14% EU passports.[106]
Jordan	–	–	40,000	88,000
Kazakhstan	7,165	(1989 census)[97]	10,000	15,000
Kosovo*	35,784	(2011 census)	25,000	50,000	Roma population lives in 29 municipalities. In 3 villages the Roma are the majority.
Kyrgyzstan	990	(1989 census)[97]	1,500	2,500
Latvia	5,082	(2018 statistics)	9,000	16,000
Lebanon	3,112	(2011 research)	5,000	12,000
Libya	–	–	10,000	40,000
Lithuania	2,251	(2021 census)	2,000	4,000
Luxembourg	–	–	100	500
Mexico	–	–	15,000	50,000
Moldova	9,323	(2014 census)[107]	14,200	200,000	Roma population lives in 35 districts. In 1 village and 2 cities, the Roma are the majority.
Montenegro	6,251	(2011 census)[108]	15,000	25,000
Morocco	–	–	30,000	50,000
Netherlands	–	–	32,000	48,000
New Zealand	132	(2018 census)	1,500	3,000
North Macedonia	46,433	(2021 census)[109]	134,000	260,000	Roma population lives in 62 municipalities.
Norway	–	–	4,500	15,700
Pakistan	–	–	30,000	80,000
Palestine*	–	–	35,000	46,000
Peru	–	–	8,000	10,000
Poland	12,855	(2002 census)[110]	15,000	50,000
Portugal	–	–	34,000	70,000
Romania	621,573	(2011 census)[111]	1,200,000	2,500,000
Russia	205,007	(2010 census)	450,000	1,200,000
Serbia	147,604	(2011 census)[112]	400,000	800,000	Roma population lives in 115 municipalities.
Slovakia	67,179	(2021 census)[113]	380,000	600,000	Roma population lives in 78 of the districts.
Slovenia	3,246	(2002 census)[114]	7,000	10,000
South Africa	–	–	8,500	10,000
South Ossetia*	6	(2015 census)[115]	15	20
Spain	–	–	500,000	1,100,000
Sudan	–	–	40,000	50,000
Sweden	–	–	35,000	65,000
Switzerland	–	–	25,000	35,000
Syria	–	–	100,000	300,000
Tajikistan	2,334	(2010 census)[116]	4,000	5,000
Tunisia	–	–	20,000	20,000
Turkey	–	–	500,000	5,000,000
Turkmenistan	119	(1989 census)[97]	1,000	2,000
Ukraine	47,587	(2001 census)[91]	120,000	400,000
United Arab Emirates	–	–	50,000	80,000
United Kingdom	63,193	(2011 census)	150,000	300,000
USA	–	–	1,000,000	1,000,000
Uruguay	–	–	2,000	5,000
Uzbekistan	16,397	(1989 census)[97]	20,000	30,000
Total	2,868,224		10,985,435	23,717,845

Central and Eastern Europe

An 1852 Wallachian poster advertising an auction of Romani slaves

A significant proportion of the world's Romanies live in Central and Eastern Europe. However, in some cases—notably the Kalderash clan in Romania, who work as traditional coppersmiths—they have prospered. Some Romani families choose to immigrate to Western Europe. Many of the former Communist countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria have entered the European Union, and free travel is permitted. During the 1970s and 1980s, many Romanies from former Yugoslavia migrated to other European countries, especially Austria, West Germany and Sweden.

Albania

Main article: Romani people in Albania

Romani people have been living in Albania for more than 600 years.^[117] They arrived from Asia shortly before the Ottoman Turks in the middle of the fifteenth century. They started from India, traveled towards the direction of Persia, Syria, Iraq and through Armenia into the Western Byzantine territories, then through the Balkans into Europe. 1,300-120,000 Roma are estimated to live in Albania.^[118]

Austria

Main article: Romani people in Austria

Belarus

Main article: Romani people in Belarus

Bulgaria

Main article: Roma in Bulgaria

Romani people constitute the third largest ethnic group (after Bulgarians and Turks) in Bulgaria, they are referred to as "цигани" (cigani) or "роми" (romi). According to the 2001 census, there were 370,908 Roma in Bulgaria, equivalent to 4.7% of the country's total population.^[119]

Greece

Main article: Roma in Greece

The Romani people of Greece is currently estimated to be between 200,000 and 350,000 people.^[44]

Czech Republic

Main article: Romani people in the Czech Republic

Crete

Since 1323 the Romani people are mentioned in Crete. Majority settlement are in Nea Alikarnassos,^[120][121]

Hungary

Main article: Roma in Hungary

Gypsies at Balatonlelle by Béla Iványi-Grünwald, 1935

In the 2011 census, 315,583 people called themselves Roma.^[122] Various estimations put the number of Roma people to be between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people, or 8–10% of Hungary's population.^[123][124]

Romania

Main article: Roma in Romania

An engraving depicting a group of Romani people in Bucharest, Romania, 1865

There is a sizable Romani minority in Romania, known as Ţigani in Romanian and, recently, as Rromi, of 621,573 people or 3.3% of the total population (2011 census), although the Council of Europe estimates the figure to be 1.85 million people or 8.32% of the population.^[125] There exist a variety of governmental and non-governmental programs for integration and social advancement, including the Foundation Policy Center for Roma and Minorities, the National Agency for the Roma and Romania's participation in the Decade of Roma Inclusion. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Spain participate in these programs. As an officially recognized ethnic minority, the Romani people also have guaranteed representation in Parliament.

Moldova

Main article: Romani people in Moldova

A big roma community of east-orthodox Christian faith, are the Basketmakers in Glodeni, their ancestors once came from Serbia, settled in Glodeni at the time of the Teleki Dynasty.^[126]

Russia

Main articles: Ruska Roma and Romani people in Russia

A Romani family travelling (1837 print)

Romani people from Ivanovo Oblast

In Russian the Romani people are referred to as tzigane. The largest ethnic group of Romani people in Russia are the Ruska Roma (also known as Xaladytka Roma). They are also the largest group in Belarus. They are adherents of the Russian Orthodox faith.

They came to Russia in the 18th century from Poland, and their language includes Polish, German, and Russian words.

The Ruska Roma were nomadic horse traders and singers. They traveled during the summer and stayed in cottages of Russian peasants during the winter. They paid for their lodging with money, or with the work of their horses.

In 1812, when Napoleon I invaded Russia, the Romani diasporas of Moscow and Saint Petersburg gave large sums of money and good horses for the Russian army. Many young Romani men took part in the war as uhlans.

At the end of the 19th century, Rusko Rom Nikolai Shishkin created a Romani theatre troupe. One of its plays was in the Romani language.

During World War II some Ruska Roma entered the army, by call-up and as volunteers. They took part in the war as soldiers, officers, infantrymen, tankmen, artillerymen, aviators, drivers, paramedical workers, and doctors. Some teenagers, old men and adult men were also partisans. Romani actors, singers, musicians, dancers (mostly women) performed for soldiers in the front line and in hospitals. A huge number of Roma, including many of the Ruska Roma, died or were murdered in territories occupied by the enemy, in battles, and in the blockade of Leningrad.

After World War II, the music of the Ruska Roma became very popular. Romen Theatre, Romani singers and ensembles prospered. All Romanies living in the USSR began to perceive Ruska Roma culture as the basic Romani culture.

Slovenia

Main article: Romani people in Slovenia

It is estimated that between 10,000 and 12,000 Romani people live in Slovenia.^[127]

Kosovo

Main article: Romani people in Kosovo

Kosovan Roma speak either Serbian or Romani as their first language. Most Kosovan Roma are Christian Orthodox, but some practice Islam. 2010 OSCE estimates suggested that there were approximately 34,000 Roma living in Kosovo.^[128]

Germany

Main article: Romani people in Germany

Roma in Germany are estimated to around 170,000-300,000 individuals, constituting around 0.2-0.4% of the German population.

Czech Republic

Main article: Romani people in the Czech Republic

There are estimated to be around 262,000 Romani people in the Czech Republic, constituting around 2.4% of the total population of the Czech Republic.^[129]

Poland

Gypsy by Polish painter Kazimierz Alchimowicz, 1870s

Main article: Romani people in Poland

In 2011, 17,049 citizens of Poland identified themselves as Roma. The number of Roma in Poland is estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000.^[130]

Serbia

Main article: Romani people in Serbia

Slovakia

Main article: Romani people in Slovakia

There are estimated to be approximately 400,000 Romani people in Slovakia, constituting around 8% of the total population of Slovakia.^[131]

Slovenia

Main article: Romani people in Slovenia

Ukraine

Main article: Romani people in Ukraine

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Main article: Romani people in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

Main article: Romani people in Croatia

In the 2021 Croatian Census, 17,980 citizens of Croatia identified themselves as Roma, constituting 0.46% of the total population of Croatia.^[132]

Montenegro

Main article: Romani people in Montenegro

North Macedonia

Main article: Romani people in North Macedonia

Switzerland

Main article: Romani people in Switzerland

Around 80,000 to 100,000 Roma live in Switzerland.^[133]

Western Europe

Belgium

Main article: Romani people in Belgium

There are about 30,000 Roma in Belgium. Romani citizens of Belgium are generally described as Roms, Manouches or Sinti, while others may use additional names.^[134]

Gypsy Camp by Jan van de Venne, depicting a 17th century Romani encampment in what is now Belgium

Spain

Main articles: Romani people in Spain and Cascarots

Spanish Romani woman

A Gypsy Dance in the Gardens of Alcázar by Alfred Dehodencq, (1851)

Romanies in Spain are generally known as Gitanos and tend to speak Caló, a kind of Andalusian Spanish with a large number of Romani loanwords.^[135] Estimates of the Spanish Gitano population range between 600,000 and 1,500,000 with the Spanish government estimating between 650,000 and 700,000.^[136] Semi-nomadic Quinqui consider themselves apart from the Gitanos.

Portugal

Main article: Romani people in Portugal

The Romanies in Portugal are known as Ciganos, and their presence goes back to the second half of the 15th century. Early on, due to their socio-cultural difference and nomadic style of live, the Ciganos were the object of fierce discrimination and persecution.^[137]

The number of Ciganos in Portugal is difficult to estimate, since there are no official statistics about race or ethnic categories. According to data from Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance^[138] there are about 40,000 to 50,000 spread all over the country.^[139] According to the Portuguese branch of Amnesty International, there are about 30,000 to 50,000.^[140]

France

Fortune teller in the Romani shrine of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

Main article: Romani people in France

Romanies are generally known in spoken French as Manouches or Tsiganes. Romanichels or Gitans are considered pejorative and Bohémiens is outdated. Traditionally referred to as gens du voyage ("traveling people"), a term still occasionally used by the media, they are today generally referred to as Roms or Rroms.^[141] By law, French municipalities over 5,000 inhabitants have the obligation to allocate a piece of land to Romani travellers when they arrive.^[142]

Approximately 500,000 Roma live in France as part of established communities. Additionally, the French Roma rights group FNASAT reports that there are at least 12,000 Roma, primarily from Romania and Bulgaria, living in illegal urban camps throughout the country. French authorities often close down these encampments. In 2009, the government returned more than 10,000 Roma illegal immigrants to Romania and Bulgaria.^[143] In the summer of 2012, with mounting criticism of their deportation of Roma migrants, French key ministers met for emergency talks on the handling of an estimated 15,000 Roma living in camps across France. They proposed to lift restrictions on migrants (including Roma) from Bulgaria and Romania who were working in France.^[144]

Italy

Main article: Romani people in Italy

Romani in Italy are generally known as zingaro (with the plural zingari), a word also used to describe a scruffy or slovenly person or a tinker. The word is likely of Greek origin meaning "untouchables", compare the modern Greek designations Τσιγγάνοι (Tsingánoi), Αθίγγανοι (Athínganoi). People often use the term "Rom", although the people prefer Romani (in Italian Romanì), which is little used. They are sometimes called "nomads", although many live in settled communities.

Netherlands

Main article: Romani people in the Netherlands

Approximately 37,500 Roma people reside in the Netherlands (0.24% of the Dutch population).^[145]

Luxembourg

Approximately 300 Romanies live in Luxembourg (0.06% of the population).^[146]

Northern Europe

Romani subgroups in Northern Europe include:

1. Romanichal in England (As well as North East Wales, South Wales and the Scottish Borders), with diaspora communities in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
2. Romanisæl in Central Norway and Sweden.
3. Scottish Lowland Roma in Lowland Scotland.
4. Welsh Kale in the Welsh-speaking parts of Northwestern Wales.
5. Finnish Kale in Finland and parts of Sweden.

Roma who have resided in Northern Europe for centuries have much European ancestry and thus may appear indistinguishable to the indigenous peoples of the region. This is due to their ancestors mixing heavily with indigenous Traveller groups (the Romani in Britain mixed with Irish Travellers, Scottish Highland Travellers and Funfair Travellers while Romani in Scandinavia mixed with Indigenous Norwegian Travellers) and even non-Travellers over the centuries.

It is also a reason why these groups speak mixed languages rather than more purer forms of Romani:

• Romanichal speak Angloromani (a mix of English and Romani).
• Romanisæl speak Scandoromani (a mix of Norwegian, Swedish and Romani).
• Scottish Lowland Roma speak Scottish Cant (a mix of Scots and Romani).
• Welsh Kale speak Kalá (a mix of Welsh, English and Romani).
• Finnish Kale speak Kalo (a mix of Finnish and Romani).

Denmark

Main article: Romani people in Denmark

The Council of Europe estimates that there are around 5,500 Romanies living in Denmark (0.1% of the population).^[147]

Estonia

Main article: Romani people in Estonia

The Roma population in Estonia is small. The official number of Roma people in Estonia is 584 with the average estimate of 1,250 and the percentage of Estonian Roma in the total population is 0.1% The oldest data on Roma in Estonia date back to the year 1533.^[148]

Iceland

Romani families from Romania, Bulgarian and Poland have been living and working in Iceland as part of the East European labour migrant communities.^[149]

United Kingdom

Main article: Romani people in the United Kingdom

A Welsh Kale Romani family in Gwynedd, Wales

Romani people in England, Scotland and Wales generally call themselves “Gypsies”, “Romany Gypsies” or “Romanies”.

Romanichal are found in England (As well as South Wales, Northeast Wales and the Scottish Borders), and they speak Angloromani.

Welsh Kale are Welsh Romani, they are found in the Welsh-speaking parts of Northwestern Wales, and they speak Welsh Kalá.

Scottish Lowland Roma are Romani people found in the Scottish Lowlands. They speak Scottish Cant.

Romani have been recorded in the UK since at least the early 16th century. Records of Romani people in Scotland date to the early 16th century.

Many Romanichal emigrated to the British colonies and to the United States during the centuries. Romani number around 300,000 in the UK. This includes the sizable population of Eastern European Roma, who immigrated into the UK in the late 1990s/early 2000s, and also after EU expansion in 2004.

The first recorded reference to "the Egyptians" appeared to be in 1492, during the reign of James IV, when an entry in the Book of the Lord High Treasurer records a payment "to Peter Ker of four shillings, to go to the king at Hunthall, to get letters subscribed to the 'King of Rowmais'". Two days after, a payment of twenty pounds was made at the king's command to the messenger of the 'King of Rowmais'.^[150]

According to the Scottish Traveller Education Programme, an estimated 20,000 Scottish Gypsies/Travellers live in Scotland.^[151] this includes Scottish Lowland Romani Travellers, Indigenous Scottish Lowland Travellers, Irish Travellers, Funfair Travellers (Showman) as well as Eastern European Roma.

In some parts of the UK, the Romani may be referred to as "tinkers" because of their traditional trade as tinsmiths.

Irish Travellers, Scottish Highland Travellers, Funfair Travellers (Showman) are non-Romani Travelling groups found in the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Main article: Romani people in Ireland

Finland

Main articles: Finnish Kale and Romani people in Finland

Three Finnish Kale Romani women in Helsinki, Finland, 1930s

The Kale (or Kaale) Romani of Finland are known in Finnish as mustalaiset ('blacks', cf. Romani: kalò, 'black') or romanit. Approximately 10,000 Romani live in Finland, mostly in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.^[152] In Finland, many Romani people wear their traditional dress in daily life.^[153] Finnish Kale speak Finnish Kalo.

Norway and Sweden

Main articles: Norwegian and Swedish Travellers, Romani people in Norway, and Romani people in Sweden

Romanisæl in Sweden are the Romani group of Norway and Sweden. They speak Scandoromani.

Recently the term romer has been adopted as a collective designation which encompasses Romanisæl and Eastern European Roma migrant communities, with Resande (meaning “travellers” or “those who travel”) referring to Romanisæl only.

Approximately 120,000 Romani live in Sweden,^[154] including 65,000~ Romanisæl, the Norwegian and Swedish Romani group, 3,000~ Finnish Kale, the Finnish Romani group who immigrated in the 1960s,^[155] and 50,000~ Eastern European Roma, who have only started to immigrate to Sweden (as well as Norway, Finland and Britain) in recent years.

Romanisæl in Sweden have periodically suffered discrimination at the hands of the state. For example, the state has taken children into foster care, or sterilised Romani women without their consent. Prejudice against Romanies is widespread, with most stereotypes portraying the Romani as welfare cheats, shoplifters, and con artists. For example, in 1992, Bert Karlsson, a leader of Ny Demokrati, said, "Gypsies are responsible for 90% of crime against senior citizens" in Sweden.^[156] He had earlier tried to ban Romani from his Skara Sommarland theme park, as he thought they were thieves. Some shopkeepers, employers and landlords continue to discriminate against Romani.^[157]

The situation is improving. Several Romani organisations promote education about Romani rights and culture in Sweden. Since 2000, Romani chib is an officially recognised minority language in Sweden. The Swedish government has established a special standing Delegation for Romani Issues. A Romani folk high school has been founded in Gothenburg.^[158]

Latvia

Main article: Romani people in Latvia

The Roma are one of Latvia's oldest ethnic minorities. According to the Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs there were 7,456 Roma living in Latvia as of 1 January 2017, comprising 0.3% of the total population.^[159]

Lithuania

Main article: Romani people in Lithuania

According to The Department of Statistics under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, in 2011 general population and housing census data shows that 2,115 Roma lived in Lithuania. The Roma are concentrated in Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai, Panevėžys and Šalčininkai in Lithuania. Kirtimai is the largest Romani settlement in Vilnius.^[160]

Central Asia

See also: Lyuli

There is a small Roma community in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.^[161][162]

West Asia

One route taken by the medieval proto-Romani cut across Indian Subcontinent to Roman Egypt and Asia Minor to Europe. Numerous Romani continue to live in Asia Minor.^[163] Other Romani populations in the Middle East are the result of modern migrations from Europe. Also found in the Middle East are various groups of the Dom people, often identified as "gypsies." They are derived from a migration out of northwestern India beginning about 600 years earlier.^[2][3]

Armenia

Main article: Lom people

There is a Lom community in Armenia. They speak Lomavren.^[164]

Azerbaijan

Main article: Garachi

Georgia

Main article: Romani people in Georgia (country)

Approximately 1,500 Roma are registered in Georgia. They primarily live in Tbilisi and Gachiani.^[165]

Cyprus

Main article: Romani people in Cyprus

History

Historians estimate that the first immigrants came between 1322 and 1400, when Cyprus was under the rule of the Lusignan (Crusader) kings. These Roma were part of a general movement from Asia Minor to Europe. Those who landed on Cyprus probably came across from the Crusader colonies on the eastern Mediterranean coast.^[166]

There is no evidence suggesting one cause for the Roma to leave mainland Asia, but historical events caused widespread upheaval and may have prompted a move to the island. In 1347 the Black Death had reached Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire; in 1390 the Turks defeated the Greek kingdom in Asia; and ten years later, the Battle of Aleppo marked the advance of the Mongols under Tamerlane.

The first surviving written record of Roma in Cyprus is from 1468. In the Chronicle of Cyprus compiled by Florio Bustron, the Cingani are said to have paid tax to the royal treasury, at that time under King James II. Later, in 1549, the French traveler Andre Theret found "les Egyptiens ou Bohemiens" in Cyprus and other Mediterranean islands. He noted their simple way of life, supported by the production of nails by the men and belts by the women, which they sold to the local population.

During the Middle Ages, Cyprus was on a regular shipping route from Bari, Italy to the Holy Land. Second immigration likely took place sometime after the Turks dominated the island in 1571. Some Kalderash came in the 19th century.

Currently, Muslim Roma in Cyprus refer to themselves as Gurbeti, and their language as Kurbetcha, although most no longer speak it. Christian or Greek-speaking Roma are known as Mantides.^[167]

According to the Council of Europe there are 1000–1500 (0.16%) Romanis living in Cyprus .^[168]

Names of Roma in Cyprus

• Tsinganos: the official term used in Greek documents and written material. It comes from the term Cingani (used in the 1468 text), which in turn comes from the archaic word Adsincan, used in mediaeval Byzantium.
• Yiftos: the Cypriot dialect form of mainland Greek Yiftos. This is common in speech and comes from earlier Aigiptos, a reference to the earlier belief that the Romanies came from Egypt.^[166]
• Gurbeti: the local term used by Turkish-speaking Cypriots, a Roma group of Doms which is also present in Syria.^[169]

(For additional names of Roma in Greek-speaking Cyprus, see Roma in Greece)

Iran

Main articles: Persian Romani, Zargari tribe, and Romani people in Iran

There is a gypsy community in Persia.^[170]

Israel

Main articles: Doms in Israel, Romanian Jews in Israel, and Jewish–Romani relations

A community anciently related to the Romani are the Dom people. Some live in Israel, the Palestinian territories and in neighboring countries.^[171]

Jordan

Main article: Doms in Jordan

70,000 Doms live in Jordan.^[172]

Lebanon

Main article: Doms in Lebanon

It is estimated that there are 8,000 Romanis or Domaris in Lebanon.^[173] The language of Romanis is called Domari in Lebanon and neighboring countries.^[174] There is evidence that child labor was prevalent in Romani communities in Lebanon.^[175]

Turkey

Main article: Romani people in Turkey

Romani people at a Kakava celebration in Edirne, 2015

Romani people in Turkey are generally known as Romanlar, Çingene, Çingen, or Çingan, as well as Çingit (West Black Sea region), Kıptî (meaning Coptic), Şopar (Kırklareli), Romanlar (İzmir)^[176] and Gipleri (derived from the term "Egyptian"). Since the late twentieth century, some have started to recognize and cherish their Romani background as well.^[177] Music, blacksmithing and other handicrafts are their main occupations.

South Asia

Afghanistan

There is a Jogi community in Afghanistan.^[178]

Pakistan

There is a Romani community in Pakistan.^[179]

East Asia

China

Roma came to China via Persia.^[180] There was a Romani community in Shanghai in the late 1930s.^[181]

North America

Most Romani people in the Americas speak English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.^[182]

United States

Main article: Roma in the United States

Romani men in the United States, 1900

At the beginning of the 19th century, the first major Romani group, the Romanichal from Great Britain, arrived in North America, although some had also immigrated during the colonial era. They settled primarily in the United States, which was then more established than most English-speaking communities in Upper Canada. Later immigrants also settled in Canada.

The ancestors of the majority of the contemporary local Romani population in the United States, who are Eastern European Roma, started to immigrate during the second half of the century, drawn by opportunities for industrial jobs. Among these groups were the Romani-speaking peoples such as the Kalderash, Machvaya, Lovari and Churari, as well as groups who had adopted the Romanian language, such as the Boyash (Ludari). Most arrived either directly from Romania after their liberation from slavery between 1840 and 1850, or after a short-period in neighboring states, such as Russia, Austria-Hungary, or Serbia. The Bashalde arrived from what is now Slovakia (then Austria-Hungary) about the same time. Many settled in the major industrial cities of the era.^[183]

Immigration from Eastern Europe decreased drastically in the post-World War II era, during the years of Communist rule. It resumed in the 1990s after the fall of Communism. Romani organizations estimate that there are about one million Romani in the United States.^[184]

Cuba

An Afro-Romani population exists in central Cuba.^[185]

Barbados

England banished the Roma to Barbados during the colonial era. According to folklore, the Romani population intermarried with the local indigenous people.^[186]

Canada

Main article: Romani people in Canada

According to the 2006 Canadian census, there were 2,590 Canadians of full or partial Romani descent.^[187]

Mexico

Main article: Romani people in Mexico

According to data collected by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía, the Romani in Mexico numbered 15,850,^[188] however, the total number is likely larger.^[188]

Caribbean

During the early modern era, Romani slaves were transported to European colonies in the Caribbean from the 15th to 18th centuries. The first Romani slaves to arrive in the Caribbean came as part of the third voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1498. In 1793, writer John Moreton noted in his work West India Customs and Manners that many Romani in Jamaica worked as prostitutes.^[189]

South America

Argentina

Main article: Romani people in Argentina

The Romani people in Argentina number more than 300,000. They traditionally support themselves by trading used cars and selling their jewelry, while travelling all over the country.^[190]

Brazil

Main article: Romani people in Brazil

Romani groups settled the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais primarily in the late 19th century. The Machvaya came from present-day Serbia (then Austria-Hungary), the Kalderash from Romania, the Lovari from Italy, and the Horahane from Greece and Turkey.^[191] Initially, the Romani in Brazil were believed to be descended from ancestors who were exiled in the colony by the Portuguese Inquisition but more has been learned about the peoples. The current population of ethnic Romani is estimated at 600,000. Most are descended from ethnic Kalderash, Macwaia, Rudari, Horahane, and Lovara.

Chile

A sizeable population of Romani people live in Chile. As they continue their traditions and language, they are a distinct minority who are widely recognized. Many continue semi-nomadic lifestyles, travelling from city to city and living in small tented communities. A Chilean telenovela called Romane was based on the Romani. It portrayed their lifestyles, ideas and occasionally featured the Chilean-born actors speaking in the Romani language, with subtitles in Spanish.

Colombia

Main article: Romani people in Colombia

The first Romani in Colombia are thought to have come from Spain and were formerly known as Egipcios settling primarily in the Departments of Santander, Norte de Santander, Atlántico, Tolima, Antioquia, Sucre, Bogotá D.C. and in smaller numbers in the Departments of Bolívar, Nariño and Valle del Cauca.^[192]

In 1999, the Colombian Government recognized the Romani people as a national ethnic minority, and today, around 8,000 Roma are present in Colombia. Their language has been officially recognized as a minority language.^[193]

Ecuador

Romani people have been in Ecuador since the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ecuadorian Roma live in the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Pichincha, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, El Oro, Manab and El Guayas. It is estimated that there are 1,000 Roma in Ecuador.^[194]

Peru

There is a Romani community in Lima.^[195]

Venezuela

There is a significant Romani population in Venezuela^[196] with most being of the Cale vitsa. Most came in migration from Spain, Portugal, or France due to persecution. With them, they brought flamenco and the Caló language and opened schools of dance in Maracaibo, Caracas, and Valencia. A large amount of Judeo-Kale also came to Venezuela, some during the Spanish inquisition, others fleeing from Anti-Roma laws in Spain. A population of around 5,000 Kalderash and Boyash Roma live in Venezuela as well.

Uruguay

Main article: Romani people in Uruguay

Africa

Angola

In spite of a ban introduced in 1720, a number of Romani families arrived in the country during the time when Angola was a Portuguese colony. It is unlikely the community survived to the present day.^[197]

South Africa

A small number of Kalderash live in South Africa.^[197]

Egypt

Main article: Doms in Egypt

Algeria

Main article: Romani people in Algeria

Cape Verde

Portuguese Roma were banished to Cape Verde.^[198]

Tunisia

Main article: Doms in Tunisia

Libya

Main article: Doms in Libya

São Tomé and Príncipe

Portuguese Roma were exiled to São Tomé and Príncipe.^[199]

Sudan

Main article: Doms in Sudan

Oceania

Australia

Main article: Romani people in Australia

There is a small Romani population in Australia.^[200]

New Zealand

A small Romani community exists in New Zealand. There are an estimated 1,500–3,000 Roma individuals in New Zealand.^[201][202]

See also

• Roma Route
• List of Romani people
• List of Romani settlements
• History of the Romani people
• South Asian diaspora

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External links

• Names of the Romani People
• Opre Roma: Gypsies in Canada
• president Nicolas Ramanush / Brazil.
• Roma Rights Network – Roma Rights Map
• Are the Roma Primitive, or Just Poor? {Plus its 10/24 NYTimes Letters to the Editor: The Rancor Against Roma in Europe]