The Roma are a stateless nation with roots in South Asia and a long history of migration throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They are also known as Gypsies, although this term is considered derogatory by many Roma people. The Roma have a distinct culture and language, and have faced discrimination and persecution throughout history. Today, there are an estimated 28-32 million Roma people worldwide, with significant populations in Europe, Turkey, and the Americas.

The Romani began to leave India about 1,000 years ago. They probably left to escape the invasion of Afghan general Mahmud of Ghazni early in the 11th century. Mahmud’s troops likely pushed the Romani out of northern India and into the area that is now Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. The Romani did not have a strong tradition of written or oral history, so scholars studied their language to piece together the path of their migration. (The Romani borrowed words from people they met in their travels.) In Iran, they split into two groups. One group went south, through Syria to northern Africa and Greece. The other group went north through Armenia before arriving in what is today Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia. Many Romani stayed in these Balkan countries, while others migrated farther west into Europe. In addition to language, Romani migration patterns can be documented in the written accounts of people who met them on their travels. Europe’s earliest record of the Romani may be in the writings of a monk at Mount Athos, Greece, in 1100. German officials wrote about encountering Romani near Hamburg in 1417. People wrote about the Romani in Barcelona, Spain, in 1425. By the early 1500s, Romani were living in Sweden, England, and Scotland.

Being Roma means identifying with a distinct ethnic group with roots in South Asia and a long history of migration throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The Roma have a distinct culture and language, and have faced discrimination and persecution throughout history.

The classification of Roma as an ethnicity or race varies depending on the country and context. In general, however, the Roma are considered an ethnic group with a distinct culture and language. While there is some genetic variation within the Roma population, there is no scientific basis for considering them a separate race.

Unfortunately, there are many stereotypes and misconceptions about Roma people that persist to this day. Some common misconceptions include that all Roma people are criminals or beggars, that they do not value education or work, or that they are inherently nomadic. These stereotypes are harmful and untrue.

No, being Roma is not something that can be acquired through membership or affiliation. The Roma are an ethnic group with roots in South Asia and a distinct culture and language. While anyone can appreciate and celebrate Roma culture and heritage, being Roma is something that is passed down through generations of family ancestry.