Their common name reflects the fact that Europeans once believed the "Gypsies," or Romany, came from Egypt. In fact, of course, they originated in India.
A recent genetic study has shown, however, that the Romany migrated to Europe much earlier than previously known. They arrived in the Balkans some 1,500 years ago from the northwestern part of India.
Although they have been persecuted heavily in much of Europe for all that time, the Romany maintain a strong identity. It's amazing that their population and culture have survived for all this time, despite discrimination and mistreatment from the neighbors.
Photo by Sean Gallup / Getty Images.
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