Gypsies

Beverly J. Fogelson

The Western use of the term gypsy denotes an ethnic group believed to have migrated out from India approximately 1,200 years ago, spreading throughout Europe, the Americas, and other countries. Known by many names ( Tattare in Sweden; Tsiganes, Getan , or Manus , in France; Tchingheane in Turkey; Zingare in Italy; Zincali in Spain; Zigeuner in Germany; Cigany in Hungary; Tsygane in Russia), this ethnic group often, but not always, identifies themselves as Rom (singular), Roma (plural), Romni (feminine singular), Rom (masculine singular), or Romani (adjective). The origin of the term Rom is believed to be a modification of the Sanskrit word Dom , a man of low caste who performs song and dance for a living. Gypsies are what is termed a diaspora population (dispersed group living outside a homeland). Believed to have left India for reasons that are still unclear, it is speculated they were connected Current ...

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