Romani culture

{{Further|Origins of the Romani people}}

File:Stamp of Moldova - 2018 - Colnect 780765 - Ethnic Groups of Moldova - Romani.jpeg

Linguistic and phonological research has established that Romani people originated in the Indian subcontinent, with most reports specifying northwestern India as their region of origin,{{Cite book|url=http://books.openedition.org/ceup/1549|title=The Roma in Romanian History|first=Viorel|last=Achim|chapter=Chapter I. The arrival of the gypsies on the territory of romania|series=CEUP collection|date=January 23, 2013|publisher=Central European University Press|pages=7–26|isbn=9786155053931|via=OpenEdition Books}} although some imply a central Indian origin.{{cite web |last1=Hubschmannova |first1=Milena |title=Origin of Roma |url=http://rombase.uni-graz.at/index.html |access-date=2015-03-03 |website=ROMBASE |ref=Rombase - origins}} The Romani language shares many features with Sanskrit and the Central Indo-Aryan languages such as Hindi, Punjabi, Rajasthani and Urdu; it also shares connections with Northern Indo-Aryan languages such as Kashmiri. The language also contains Arabic, Armenian, Greek and Persian loanwords.{{Cite web |title=History of the Romani Language |url=https://www.kratylos.org/~raphael/romani/whatis/language/earlyromani.html |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Romani Project - The University of Manchester}}

There are also legends surrounding the origins of the Roma. For example, some Roma believe that they are the descendants of musicians from India who were led by the Persian king Bahram V from India to Iran at A.D. 420–438, before wandering over the Silk Road to Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://rm.coe.int/from-india-to-europe-factsheets-on-romani-history/16808b18ed|title=From India to Europe}}

Despite the Indian origins of the Romani people, Romani cultures have various other cultural influences and Indian elements in modern Romani cultures are limited, with the exception of the language.{{cite book |last1=Mróz |first1=Lech |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C_4OEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |title=Roma-Gypsy Presence in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: 15th – 18th Centuries |date=November 2016 |publisher=Central European University Press |isbn=9789633861097}}

File:Spiezer Schilling 749.jpge, Switzerland in the 15th century, dressed in Saracen-style attireDiebold Schilling the Elder (1480s). Spiezer Schilling. Bern. p. 749.]]

The Romani people are today found across the world. Typically, Roma adopt given names that are common in the country of their residence. Seldom do modern Roma use the traditional name from their own language, such as {{lang|rom|Čingaren}}. Romanes is the only Indo-Aryan language that has been spoken exclusively around Europe since the Middle Ages.{{Cite web |title=Factsheets on Romani Language: General Introduction |url=https://rm.coe.int/roma-history-factsheets-eng/1680a2f2f8 |website=rm.coe.int}} Speakers use many terms for their language. They generally refer to their language as {{lang|rom|Čingari čhib}} or {{lang|rom|řomani čhib}} translated as 'the Romani language', or {{lang|rom|rromanes}}, 'in a Rom way'. The English term, Romani, has been used by scholars since the 19th century, where previously they had used the term 'Gypsy language'.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ggLGcnloNoC&pg=PA1 | title=Romani: A Linguistic Introduction | isbn=978-1-139-43324-2 | last1=Matras | first1=Yaron | date=6 June 2002 | publisher=Cambridge University Press }}

{{Romani people}}

Traditionally, Roma place a high value on the extended family.{{cite news |last1=Bradford |first1=Alina |title=Roma Culture: Customs, Traditions & Beliefs |url=https://www.livescience.com/64171-roma-culture.html |work=livescience.com |date=26 November 2018 }}{{Cite web|url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-1-8-social-organisation-and-family-struct/1680aac36c|title=Social organisation and family structure}}

Marriage in Romani society underscores the importance of family and demonstrates ties between different groups, often transnationally. Traditionally an arranged marriage is highly desirable.{{cite book| last1=Silverman| first1=Carol| title=Romani Routes: Cultural Politics and Balkan Music in Diaspora| date=24 May 2012| publisher=Oxford University Press| pages=71–79| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lw-Byail0EkC&q=marriage+in+romani+culture|access-date=4 March 2015| isbn=9780195300949}} It is custom for the parents of the groom to pay the family of the bride. Parents of the potential bridal couple help identify an ideal partner for their child. Parents may pressure a particular spouse on their child, because it is an established norm to be married by your mid-twenties. School, church, Mosques, circumcision ceremonies, fiancée and weddings, and other events are also popular environments for finding a prospective spouse. Potential couples are expected to be supervised or chaperoned by an adult. With the emergence of both social media such as Facebook and mobile phones, and the advancing education of women, many traditional mores and conservative views have become less rigid. In some Romani groups, for example the Finnish Roma, the idea of a legally registered marriage is ignored altogether.{{cite book| last1=Weyrauch| first1=Walter. O| title=Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture| date=13 August 2001| publisher=University of California Press| page=169|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ancBk7IxEHsC&q=romani+culture+and+reputation| access-date=4 March 2015| isbn=9780520221857}}

File:Roma-sofia.JPG (1936)]]

The Romani practice of child marriage in certain countries of southeastern Europe has generated substantial controversy across the world. In 2003, one of the many self-styled Romani "kings", Ilie Tortică, prohibited marriage before the parties were of legal age in their country of residence. A Romani patriarch, Florin Cioabă, ran afoul of Romanian authorities in late 2003 when he married off his youngest daughter, Ana-Maria, at the age of twelve, well below the legal marriageable age.{{cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3168638.stm | title=Roma rivalry over child bride ban |last=Brabant |first=Malcolm |author-link=Malcolm Brabant |date=6 October 2003 |website=BBC News Online |publisher=BBC News |access-date=24 August 2013}}

Bride kidnapping (not to be confused with the Romanian bride kidnapping tradition) is believed to be a traditional part of Romani practice. Girls as young as twelve years old may be kidnapped for marriage to teenage boys. This practice has been reported in Ireland, England, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Slovakia.{{cite news |title=Gardaí hunt gang accused of seizing Roma child bride |first=Henry| last=McDonald |author-link=Henry McDonald (writer) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/23/ireland |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 September 2007 |access-date=24 August 2013}}{{cite book |date=June 2007 |title=Building the Capacity of Roma Communities to Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings |pages=17 |location=Warsaw |publisher=Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights |isbn=978-8360190371 |url=http://www.osce.org/odihr/25645?download=true |access-date=24 August 2013}}{{cite conference |last=Pamporov |first=Alexey |year=2006 |title=Roma/Gypsy population in Bulgaria as a challenge for the policy relevance |conference=European Population Conference Liverpool, 20–24 June 2006 |location=Sofia |publisher=Bulgarian Academy of Sciences |url= http://epc2006.princeton.edu/papers/60261 |access-date=24 August 2013}} Bride kidnapping is thought to be a way to avoid a bride price or a means for a girl to marry a boy she wants but that her parents do not want. The tradition's normalisation of kidnapping puts young women at higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking.

The practices of bride kidnapping and child marriage are not universally accepted throughout Romani culture. Some Romani women and men seek to eliminate such customs.{{cite web |url= http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2295 |title=Child Marriage a Cultural Problem, Educational Access a Race Issue? Deconstructing Uni-Dimensional Understanding of Romani Oppression |last=Oprea |first=Alexandra |date=21 July 2005 |publisher=European Roma Rights Centre |access-date=24 August 2013}}

The Muslim Roma adopted the Islamic marital practices.{{Cite journal|title=Marriage among the Gypsies of Turkey|first=Ali Rafet|last=Ozkan|date=1 January 2006|journal=The Social Science Journal|volume=43|issue=3|pages=461–470|doi=10.1016/j.soscij.2006.04.003|s2cid=144820319 }}

Romani mothers breastfeed their children for optimal health and increased immunity. They also view this as a gift from God, and a help to building healthy relationships between mothers and children.{{cite journal |last1=Condon |first1=Louise J |last2=Salmon |first2=Debra |title='You likes your way, we got our own way': Gypsies and Travellers' views on infant feeding and health professional support |journal=Health Expectations |date=3 June 2014 |volume=18 |issue=5 |pages=784–795 |doi=10.1111/hex.12214 |pmid=24890123 |pmc=5060882 }}

Homosexuality, sodomy and oral sex are prohibited.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FQT2Gp16j68C&dq=gypsy+culture+homosexuality+impure&pg=PA30|title= Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture|page=30|isbn= 978-0-520-22185-7|last1= Weyrauch|first1= Walter O.|date= 13 August 2001|publisher= University of California Press}}

The blood revenge, blood feud or vendetta is an old form of private vengeance, which is usually intended to restore Romani family honor by killing an opponent. It only occurs after serious damage to honor, such as the killing itself, which no other damage compensation within the feud can do justice to.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/blood-feud-gypsy-clans-in-court-20070301-gdpknf.html|title=Blood feud: gypsy clans in court|first=Jennifer|last=Cooke|date=1 March 2007|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=24 April 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/22671/ssoar-eurjcultstud-2006-2-rez-papapavlou.pdf;jsessionid=B688616688E5474C05BA7D21DBCA90E9?sequence=1|access-date=24 April 2023|author=Papapavlou, Maria|website=ssoar.info

|title=Book Review: Gypsy law: Romani legal traditions and culture|year=2006}}

{{See also|Marime}}

Clothes for the lower body, as well as the clothes of menstruating women, are washed separately. Items used for eating are washed in a different place.{{Cite web|url=http://languagecontact.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/YM/downloads/Matras,%20Y.%20(2011)%20Roma%20culture%20an%20introduction.pdf|title=Roma Culture: An Introduction | Language Contact Manchester|access-date=30 March 2023|archive-date=22 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722042202/http://languagecontact.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/YM/downloads/Matras,%20Y.%20(2011)%20Roma%20culture%20an%20introduction.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Childbirth is considered "impure" and must occur outside the dwelling place; the mother is considered "impure" for 40 days.{{Cite web |title=INTRODUCTION TO ROMA CULTURE EXPLORING CULTURAL DIVERSITY FOR FAMILY DOCTORS |url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADM192.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027043640/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADM192.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 October 2011 |website=USAID}}

The Muslim Roma (Horahane) in the Balkans adopted the Islamic culture during the Ottoman Empire period, and so did the Ritual purity in Islam.{{cite journal |last1=Crowe |first1=David M. |title=Muslim Roma in the Balkans |journal=Nationalities Papers |date=March 2000 |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=93–128 |doi=10.1080/00905990050002470 |s2cid=153933600 }}

Romani people wash dishes with bleach.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b4HXBjPPAoEC&pg=PA38|title=Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture|page=38}}

For bathing, Romani individuals enter a spacious tub filled with water situated on the ground within the tent, where they stand and cleanse only the lower half of their bodies. The face and upper body are washed using water from a pan supported by a tripod, which is poured over the face and upper body with cupped hands, allowing the water to flow down into the tub. Romani men may wash their faces and upper bodies outside, without a shirt. Each Romani family member bathes in order of age. One bar of soap is designated for the upper body, while another is used for the lower body.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Td7oBlhg1nEC&pg=PA50|title=Gypsy Council|page=50}}

Clothes worn by Romani women and Romani men, as well as those that cover the upper and lower body, are laundered and hung to dry separately. In certain Romani communities, the clothing of Romani elderly individuals is also washed and dried separately, reflecting a sign of respect and to prevent any potential defilement from coming into contact with the garments of sexually active family members.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YfQ9BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA87|title=The Romani Gypsies}}

File:Happy Romanies LCCN2003680451.jpg

Christian Romani people incorporate their values into how they raise their children. There is an element of impurity placed upon both the mother and father after the mother gives birth. This impurity is lessened if the child is a male and the family is considered "lucky". Traditionally, the couple will live with the father of the groom until their first child is born. Romani people place high value on extended family so godparents, along with this other family, are active in the child's life to ensure its well-being.{{Cite journal|jstor=1393193|title=Recognising Difference: The Romani 'Gypsy' Child Socialisation and Education Process|last1=Smith|first1=Tracy|journal=British Journal of Sociology of Education|year=1997|volume=18|issue=2|pages=243–256|doi=10.1080/0142569970180207}}

Among Christian Romani people, godparenthood (known as {{Lang|rom|kirvipen}} or {{Lang|rom|kirvimos}}) is a widespread phenomenon, acting as a form of kinship rather than a religious form. Godparents were traditionally sought from within the Romani community but outside the extended family. Initially, the godparents' role is to assist in the baptism ceremony, where they bring presents such as clothes, jewelry, and money for the child, who often receives their name from their godparent. After the baptism, the godparents serve to support the godchild's family when in need, and to raise the child in the parent's absence. They are expected to participate and give presents in the most significant events of the godchild's life, including the first day of school and their wedding. Godparenthood is considered an honour and brings respect to the godparent in the community, with the level of respect being proportional to the number of godchildren the godparent has.{{cite web |others=Compiled by Zuzana Bodnárová |title=Factsheets on Romani Culture: Godparenthood |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-2-godparenthood/1680aac372 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216003612/https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-2-godparenthood/1680aac372 |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=Romani Project |publisher=Council of Europe |language=en |format=PDF}}

There are differences between the culture and traditions of Dasikane (Christian) Roma and Horahane (Muslim) Roma. Romani culture and traditions often vary according to country, subgroup and religion.{{cite web |title=Factsheets on Romani Culture: Cultural variation |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-0-cultural-variation/1680aac36e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216004304/https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-0-cultural-variation/1680aac36e |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=Romani Project |publisher=Council of Europe |format=PDF}}

{{lang|rom|{{proper name|Romanipen}}}} (also {{lang|rom|{{proper name|romanypen}}}}, {{lang|rom|{{proper name|romanipe}}}}, {{lang|rom|{{proper name|romanype}}}}, {{lang|rom|{{proper name|romanimos}}}}, {{lang|rom|{{proper name|romaimos}}}}, {{lang|rom|{{proper name|romaniya}}}}) is a concept of Romani philosophy encompassing totality of the Romani spirit, culture, law, being a Rom, and a set of Romani strains.{{cite book |author=Marinov |first=Aleksandar G. |title=Inward Looking: The Impact of Migration on Romanipe from the Romani Perspective |publisher=Berghahn Books |year=2019 |volume=2 |isbn=978-1-78920-362-2 |edition=1st |location=New York |doi=10.2307/j.ctv1dwq0x8 |jstor=j.ctv1dwq0x8 |oclc=1126349414 |ol=53255461M}}

An ethnic Rom is considered to be a {{lang|rom|Gadjikane}} Roma in Romani society if the person has no {{lang|rom|Romanipen}}. Sometimes a {{lang|rom|Gadjo}}, usually an adopted child, may be considered to be a Rom if the person has {{lang|rom|Romanipen}}. As a concept, {{lang|rom|Romanipen}} has been the subject of interest to numerous academic observers. It has been hypothesized that it owes more to a framework of culture than simply an adherence to historically received rules.{{cite book| last1=Saul| first1=Nicholas |first2=Susan| last2=Tebbut |title=The role of the Romanies: images and counter-images of 'Gypsies'/Romanies in European cultures|editor=Nicholas Saul, Susan Tebbutt|publisher=Liverpool University Press| year=2005| pages=218| isbn= 978-0-85323-689-4| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AQw6qOCNj-UC&q=romanipen&pg=PA218| access-date=2010-03-03}}

Significant changes in Romani culture following the Second World War have been attributed to the suspension of these social norms, as strict rules relating to food and contact with certain classes of people broke down. This period also coincided with a perceived loss of authority invested in traditional leaders, the primary maintainers of {{lang|rom|Romanipen}}.{{cite book|last= Guy|first=Will |title=Between past and future: the Roma of Central and Eastern Europe|editor=Will Guy |publisher=University of Hertfordshire Press|year=2001|pages=254|isbn= 978-1-902806-07-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lpBHAM3qafwC&q=romanipen&pg=PA254|access-date=2010-03-03}} Furthermore, the Roma who found themselves under Soviet control during the war, while deported to the east of the Urals and often persecuted, were generally left alone to follow their orthodox practices and thus preserved strict interpretations of {{lang|rom|Romanipen}}. However, the Roma who lived in other countries of eastern Europe, in the face of widespread discrimination and society's attempts at forced assimilation, often had to compromise their strict interpretation of the customs to survive. As a result, the whole concept of {{lang|rom|Romanipen}} became interpreted differently among various Roma groups. Muslim Roma, as one example, considered an uncircumcised man to be impure.

A considerable punishment for a Christian Rom is banishment from Romani society.{{Cite web|title=For Roma, Life in US Has Challenges |

publisher=Voice of America |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/for-roma-life-in-us-has-challenges-119394819/163156.html |date=6 April 2011 |language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}} An expelled person is considered to be "contaminated" and is shunned by other Christian Romanis.

Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians{{Cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/ibp/source/FS_1_10.5.pdf|title=History of the Balkan Egyptians}} like the Turcoman Gypsies and Crimean Roma{{cite book |first1=Egemen |last1=Yılgür |chapter=Turcoman Gypsies in the Balkans: Just a Preferred Identity or More? |page=330 |editor1-last=Ki︠u︡chukov |editor1-first=Khristo |editor2-last=Zahova |editor2-first=Sofiya |editor3-last=Dumunica |editor3-first=Ian |title=Romani History and Culture: Festschrift in Honor of Prof. Dr. Vesselin Popov |date=2021 |publisher=LINCOM GmbH |isbn=978-3-96939-071-9 }} are not part of the Romani society due to the lack of Romanipen and the Romani language.

Romani Code, or {{lang|rom|Romano Zakono}}, is the most important part of {{lang|rom|Romanipen}}. It is a set of rules for Romani life, different than Romani religions.{{Cite book |last1=Bíró |first1=Anna-Mária |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iG0IEQAAQBAJ&pg=PA191 |title=Minority Rights and Liberal Democratic Insecurities: The Challenge of Unstable Orders |last2=Newman |first2=Dwight |date=2022-11-11 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-78142-7 |language=en}}

Though Romani ethnic groups have different sets of rules, Oral Romani cultures are most likely to adhere to the Romani code, although these communities are geographically spread.{{cite book |last1=Matras |first1=Yaron |title=The Romani Gypsies |date=6 January 2015 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0674368385 |page=86 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YfQ9BQAAQBAJ&q=the+romani+code |access-date=6 March 2015}}

The Romani Code is not written; Romani people keep it alive in oral tradition. {{Cite journal |last=Dumitrescu |first=Cristian |year=2010 |title=The Stranger in Our Midst, the Gypsies |url=https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=jams |journal=Journal of Adventist Mission Studies |publisher=International Fellowship of Adventist Mission Studies |publication-place=Andrews University |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=30–49 |doi=10.32597/jams/vol6/iss2/5/ |article-number=5}}

The {{lang|rom|kris}} is a traditional institution for upholding and enforcing the Romani Code.{{cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADM192.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027043640/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADM192.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2011|title=INTRODUCTION TO ROMA CULTURE}}

The code can be summarised in pillars; the main pillar representing the polar ideas of {{lang|rom|baxt}} ({{IPA|rom|baxt|pron}}, {{Respell|bah-kht}}) meaning 'honour' and {{lang|rom|ladž}} (or {{lang|rom|laʒ}}, {{IPA|rom|ladʒ|pron}}, {{Respell|lah-j}}) meaning 'shame'.

It is honourable, in some Romani cultures, to celebrate {{lang|rom|baxt}} by being generous and displaying your success to the public. The focus on generosity means sharing food is of great importance to some groups of Roma. Making lavish meals to share with other Romani visitors is commonplace and in some cases not having food to share is considered shameful.

The vast majority of Roma are Christians. They are Catholic Manouche, Mercheros, and Sinti; Muslim Ashkali and Romanlar; Pentecostal Kalderash and Lovari; Protestant Travellers; Anglican Roma; and Baptist Roma. The Roma's religious beliefs are occupied by God and Virgin Mary.{{Cite web |title=Religion and Beliefs |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-1-9-religion-and-beliefs/1680aac36d |website=rm.coe.int}}

File:Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Sarah.jpg in the shrine of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Southern France, is a devotion associated with Catholic Romanies.]]

The ancestors of the Romani people followed the Hindu religion. This is supported by the Romani word for 'cross', {{lang|rom|trushul}}, which is the word which describes Shiva's trident (Trishul) and additionally folk tales and songs about Hindu-esque deities.{{cite web |last=Hancock |first=Ian |year=2001 |title=Romani ("Gypsy") Religion |url=https://radoc.net/radoc.php?doc=art_b_history_romanireligion&lang=fr&articles=true |website=The Romani Archives and Documentation Center}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4L7UAwAAQBAJ&dq=kaplan+The+Encyclopedia+of+Religion+and+Nature+romani&pg=PA1416 | isbn=978-1-84371-138-4 | title=Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature | date=January 2005 | publisher=A&C Black }} A Hindu foundation means that the concept of {{lang|rom|Kuntari}}, a universal balance, is central to the people's spirituality. {{lang|rom|Kuntari}} means that all things belong in the universe according to their natural place. If something does not fit into its natural place, it is considered to be out of balance, and therefore bad luck. For example, birds are supposed to fly, so flightless birds like hens are considered to be out of balance and bad luck. For this reason, Christian Roma traditionally do not eat hens' eggs,{{cite web |title=Roma |url=http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Roma.html#b |work=Countries and their Cultures |publisher=Advameg, Inc |access-date=26 December 2012 |year=2012 }} with the exception of the Muslim Roma, who eat eggs and even have special recipes for them.{{Cite web|url=https://romanigodi.org/roman-mutfagini-taniyor-muyuz-3-cingene-yumurtasi/|title=Roman Mutfağını Tanıyor muyuz?-3 (ÇİNGENE YUMURTASI) - Romani Godi|date=8 October 2022|access-date=24 April 2023}}

Roma also believed in the concept of Kintala, which is almost identical to Karma except one's actions in life only influence the reincarnation; the bad happenings are not caused by sins of a previous life, rather by bad Dji and unclean spirits (the Necuxa).{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yqmYJiVui9UC&pg=PA108 | title=Danger! Educated Gypsy: Selected Essays | isbn=978-1-902806-99-0 | last1=Hancock | first1=Ian | date=2010 | publisher=Univ of Hertfordshire Press }}

The concept of Dji is one's spiritual energy which must be kept in balance by following Marime and other spiritual laws. The better a person one is and the more balanced their Dji is, the better life they will reincarnate into.Weyrauch, Walter Otto (2001), Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture, University of California Press, p. 210, ISBN 978-0-520-22186-4, Rom have preserved and modified Indian caste system

Some also worshipped the spirits of their ancestors, while the Christian Roma were completely opposed to anything that messes with the dead.

Roma believed in a god who is one with the universe and manifests themselves in the forms of many deities:

• Kali Sarah / Bari O Devli – goddess of roma, fate, reincarnation
• Bar o Devel / Siv – god of power and music
• O Shion – goddess of wealth and luck
• Amari O Devli – goddess of beauty, love and fertility
• Bibiyaku / Aunt Bibi – goddess of family, children and the home
• Vaju – god of the wind and travel
• Olabibi – goddess of illness and healing
• Alakoh – goddess of the moon and sacred laws

The Roma clans and tribes followed plenty of other gods and practiced many variation of this faith system, there is no one name for a god or one rule as each group had a unique variation.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i4mvAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1415 | title=Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature | isbn=978-1-4411-2278-0 | last1=Taylor | first1=Bron | date=10 June 2008 | publisher=A&C Black }}

In Balkan Romani, an Orthodox Christian Roma is called a Dasikane or Daskane or Das; the meaning is sometimes given as a slave or servant.{{cite web|title=Restless Beings Project: Roma Engage|url=http://www.restlessbeings.org/projects/roma–gypsies|work=restlessbeings|publisher=Restless Beings |access-date=26 December 2012|year=2008–2012}}

File:Bain rituel dans la mer aux Saintes-Maries.jpg]]

Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla is considered a patron saint of the Romani people in Roman Catholicism.{{cite web |title=BLESSED CEFERINO GIMENEZ MALLA 1861-1936 |url=http://www.savior.org/saints/malla.htm |work=Saviour.org – Visit the Saviour |publisher=Voveo Marketing Group |access-date=26 December 2012 |date=December 2012 |archive-date=5 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205130932/http://www.savior.org/saints/malla.htm |url-status=dead }} Virgin of Hope of Macarena is considered a patron saint of the Spanish Gypsies.{{Cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.sevilla.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/sevilla/abc.sevilla/1964/05/30/059.html|title=ABC SEVILLA (Sevilla) - 30/05/1964, p. 59 - ABC.es Hemeroteca|website=hemeroteca.sevilla.abc.es|date=22 August 2019 |access-date=October 5, 2019}}

Saint Sarah, or Kali Sara, has been revered as a patron saint in the same manner as the Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla, but a transition occurred in the 21st century, whereby Kali Sara is understood as an Indian deity brought by the refugee ancestors of the Romani people, thereby removing any Christian association. Saint Sarah is progressively being considered as "a Romani goddess, the Protectress of the Roma" and an "indisputable link with Mother India".{{cite web|title=THE ROMANI GODDESS KALI SARA|url=http://kopachi.com/articles/the-romani-goddess-kali-sara-by-ronald-lee/|work=Romano Kapachi|publisher=Ronald Lee|access-date=26 December 2012|author=Ronald Lee|year=2002|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127054429/http://kopachi.com/articles/the-romani-goddess-kali-sara-by-ronald-lee/|archive-date=27 January 2013}} The Roma pilgrimage for the dark-skinned Saint Sara in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is said to have possibly been the Egyptian servant of the three Marys.{{Cite web |title=Saintes Marie de la Mer: The Church |url=http://www.saintesmaries.com/en/home/village-saintes-maries-de-la-mer/the-church |access-date=2013-12-06 |website=Office of Tourism |archive-date=25 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225103736/http://www.saintesmaries.com/en/home/village-saintes-maries-de-la-mer/the-church/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Wineyard |first=Val |title=Saintes Maries de la Mer |url=http://www.marymagdalenebooks.com/saintes-maries-de-la-mer |access-date=2015-01-13 |website=I Write about Mary Magdalene}} The day of the pilgrimage honouring Sarah is May 24; her statue is carried down to the sea on this day to re-enact her arrival in France.{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/saint-sara-la-kali-romani-pilgrimage-camargue-france | title=Meet Sara-la-Kali, the patron saint of displaced people | website=National Geographic Society }}

Roma often adopt the dominant religion of their host country if a ceremony associated with a formal religious institution is necessary, such as a baptism or funeral (their particular belief systems and indigenous religion and worship remain preserved regardless of such adoption processes). Some Roma continue to practice "Shaktism", a practice with origins in India, whereby a female consort is required for the worship of a god. Adherence to this practice means that for the Romani who worship a Christian God, prayer is conducted through the Virgin Mary, or her mother, Saint Anne. Shaktism continues over 1,000 years after the people's separation from India.

Romani elders serve as spiritual leaders; there are no specific Christian Roma priests, churches, or Christian Roma scriptures, the exception being the Pentecostal Roma, most in Western society.

Within the United Kingdom, a large proportion of British Roma (40% by some estimates) are members of Light and Life, a Charismatic Pentecostal Christian movement.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38016090 |title=How Gypsies Have Moved from Fortune-Telling to Fervent Christianity |last=Strangwayes-Booth |first=Alex |date=19 November 2016 |publisher=BBC}}

It is a custom among Muslim Roma that the foreskin must be buried after Sunet Bijav (see religious male circumcision ceremony).{{Cite web |title=THE RITE OF MALE CIRCUMCISION AMONG THE MUSLIM POPULATION IN THE WESTERN BALKANS |url=https://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol80/novik.pdf |website=www.folklore.ee}} They believe the foreskin will come back to men in Paradise (Jannah), based a Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 6524: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "You will be raised on the Day of Judgement barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised (with foreskin)." Burying the foreskin is also a tradition among Malaysian Muslims.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-circumcision-idUKTRE5AM0U320091123 | title=School holidays in Malaysia, time for circumcision |work=Reuters | date=23 November 2009 }}

File:Muslim Gypsies from Bosnia, illustration, 1901.jpg (c.1900)]]

Balkan Roma Muslims are mostly cultural Muslims or nominal Muslims.{{cite book|title=Another Darkness, Another Dawn: A History of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers|first=Taylor|last=Becky|year=2014| isbn=9781780232973|page =31|publisher=Reaktion Books}}{{cite journal | url=https://www.academia.edu/15014473 | title="Ucundan Azıcık"la Atılan Sağlam Temel: Türkiye'de Sünnet Ritüeli ve Erkeklik İlişkisi | journal=Masculinities: A Journal of Identity and Culture | date=January 2015 | last1=Barutcu | first1=Atilla }} For the Muslim Romani communities that have resided in the Balkans for centuries, often referred to as Horahane Roma or "Turkish Gypsies", all Muslim Roma got a Religious male circumcision, the following histories apply for religious beliefs:

• Bulgaria: In northwestern Bulgaria and Sofia and Kyustendil, Islam has been the dominant religion. In southwestern Bulgaria (Pirin Macedonia), Islam is the dominant religion, with a smaller section of the population, declaring themselves as "Turks", continuing to mix ethnicity with Islam.{{cite web |last1=Marushiakova |first1=Elena |first2=Veselin |last2=Popov |title=Roma Muslims in the Balkans |website=Academia |url=https://www.academia.edu/2844614 |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527184014/https://www.academia.edu/2844614 |url-status=dead }}
• Romania: Muslim Roma Minority at the Dobruja.{{cite web|url=https://www.gandul.ro/mini/care-este-religia-predominanta-a-tiganilor-din-romania-13126416|title=Care este religia predominantă a țiganilor din România?|work=Gândul|author=Mironescu, Vlad|language=ro|date=20 September 2014|access-date=21 March 2016}}
• Greece: Muslim Roma in Western Thrace.
• Albania: Albania's Romani people are all Muslims.
• Macedonia: The majority of Romani people believe in Islam.
• Serbia: in the disputed territory of Kosovo the vast majority of the Romani population is Muslim.
• Bosnia, Montenegro and Herzegovina: Islam is the dominant religion.
• Croatia: Following World War II, a large number of Muslim Roma relocated to Croatia (the majority moved from Kosovo).

In the Balkans, the Roma of North Macedonia and southern Serbia, including the disputed territory of Kosovo, have been particularly active in Islamic mystical brotherhoods (Sufism)—Muslim Roma immigrants to Western Europe and America have brought these traditions with them.{{cite journal |last1=Speziale |first1=Fabrizio |title=Adapting Mystic Identity to Italian Mainstream Islam: The Case of a Muslim Rom Community in Florence |journal=Balkanologie |date=December 2005 |volume=9 |issue=1–2 |doi=10.4000/balkanologie.589 |doi-access=free }}

Ukraine and Russia contain Romani Muslim populations, as the families of Balkan migrants continue to live there. The descendants' ancestors settled on the Crimean peninsula during the 17th and 18th centuries, but most descendants migrated to Ukraine, southern Russia and the Povolzhie (along the Volga River). Formally, Islam is the religion that these communities align themselves with, and the people are recognised for their staunch preservation of the Romani language and identity.

Most Eastern European Roma are Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Muslim.{{cite journal |id={{Project MUSE|670188}} |last1=Acton |first1=Thomas A. |last2=Barbour |first2=S. |last3=Mundy |first3=G. |title=Mediterranean Religions and Romani People |journal=Journal of Mediterranean Studies |date=1997 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=37–51 }} Those in Western Europe and the United States are mostly Roman Catholic or Protestant. In southern Spain, many Roma are Pentecostal, but this is a small minority that has emerged in contemporary times. In Egypt, the Roma are split into Christian and Muslim populations.{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Td7oBlhg1nEC&q=gypsies+egypt+christian+muslim&pg=PA460 |title = Gypsy Council|isbn = 9781413469462|last1 = Eliopoulos|first1 = Nicholas C.|date = 2006-08-02| publisher=Xlibris Corporation }} For countless years, dance has been considered a religious procedure for the Egyptian Roma.{{cite book |last=Gadalla |first=Moustafa |title=Egyptian Romany: The Essence of Hispania |url=http://www.egypt-tehuti.org/books/egyptian-romany-pg.html |access-date=26 December 2012 |year=2004 |publisher=Tehuti Research Foundation |location=Greensboro, North Carolina |isbn=1931446199 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830180159/http://www.egypt-tehuti.org/books/egyptian-romany-pg.html |archive-date=30 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }} In Turkey, the Romani people are Muslim and the males are circumcised, while the majority of Roma in Latin America have maintained their European religions, with most following Eastern Orthodox Christianity.{{cite web |url=http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/e06a5300f90fa0238025668700518ca4/bf902cce1dffb107c1256d2600377385/$FILE/G0314171.pdf |title=The Rom in the America |last=Bernal |first=Jorge |date=5 May 2003 |publisher=United Nations Commission on Human Rights |access-date=24 August 2013}}

Since World War II, a growing number of Roma have embraced Evangelical movements. For the first time, Roma became ministers and created their own, autonomous churches and missionary organizations. In some countries, the majority of Roma belong to Romani churches. This unexpected change has greatly contributed to a better image of Roma in society. The work they perform is seen as more legitimate, and they have begun to obtain legal permits for commercial activities.

Theravada Buddhism linked to the Dalit Buddhist movement of B.R. Ambedkar has spread among European Roma, particularly in Hungary, although it is still a minority.{{cite web |last1=Vishvapani |title=Hungary's Gypsy Buddhists & Religious Discrimination |url=https://www.wiseattention.org/blog/2011/11/29/gypsy-buddhists/ |website=wiseattention.org |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=4 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Bhalesain |first1=Pravin |title=Gypsies embracing Buddhism:A step forward for Building a Harmonious Society in Europe |date=2011 |url=http://www.undv.org/vesak2011/panel2/14PBhalesainFINAL.pdf |access-date=4 June 2021}}

Some Romani people converted to Judaism through a Jewish spouse.{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Bron |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i4mvAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1418 |title=Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature |date=2008-06-10 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-1-4411-2278-0 |language=en}}

{{See also|Hokkani boro}}

File:Cornelis de Wael - Gypsies reading the hand of a young traveler.jpeg]]

There are records of Romani women practicing fortune-telling dating back centuries, using techniques such as palm reading. It often served as a means of income, and was typically passed from mother to daughter. In 1747 and later again in 1824, palm-reading was made illegal in Britain, which lead to it becoming a covert practice.{{Cite web |title=Romany Gypsies and fortune-telling – by Sharon Heppell |url=https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/features/romany-gypsies-and-fortune-telling-sharon-heppell#:~:text=Romany%20Gypsy%20women%20-%20and%20very,to%20time,%20their%20sons%20too. |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Travellers Times |language=en}} Romani fortune tellers were traditionally known as drabardi. While it was practiced as a trade aimed at non-Romani, known as Gadje or Gorjas, it was virtually never practiced amongst Romani themselves.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-01 |title=Fortune Telling as Part of the Roma Culture |url=https://rozvitok.org/en/fortune-telling-as-part-of-the-roma-culture/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Human Rights Fund Progress |language=en-US}}

However, the notion that Romani people have psychic powers (e.g. fortune-teller) is also a stereotype, sometimes still present to this day, and some romantics attribute the invention of the Tarot cards to them.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SsXYAAAAMAAJ&q=A+stereotype+that+Romani+people+have+psychic+powers|title = Creative Ethnicity: Symbols and Strategies of Contemporary Ethnic Life|isbn = 9780874211481|last1 = Stern|first1 = Stephen|year = 1991| publisher=Utah State University Press }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OY-OAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA743|title=American Folklore: An Encyclopedia|page=743|isbn=9781135578787 |last1=Brunvand |first1=Jan Harold |date=24 May 2006 |publisher=Routledge }}

{{Main|Romani dance}}

Some traditional Romani dances have distant roots in Indian dance. A Romani dance with origins in India is the snake dance. Romani women perform the sapera dance with a cobra to awaken their reptilian powers, mantras and to curse menacing victims forever.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DMGpDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA260|title=The Encyclopedia of World Folk Dance|page=260|isbn=9781442257498 |last1=Snodgrass |first1=Mary Ellen |date=8 August 2016 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield }}

Belly dance is performed by the Romani people in Turkey.{{cite web | url=https://www.bellydance.com/Gypsy-Turkish-Belly-Dance_c_175.html | title=Gypsy Belly Dance Costumes & Accessories | Belly Dance }}

{{Main|Romani music}}

File:Django Reinhardt (Gottlieb 07301).jpg

File:Szathmary - Paparuda.jpg (1869)]]

As the Roma traveled to other countries from India to Europe, the Roma introduced many influences in their music, beginning with their Indian roots and adding elements of Greek, Persian, Turkish, Romanian, Czech and Slavic influence, as well as Western European such as German, French and Spanish influences.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5ml_CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT20|title= Gypsies of the White Mountains: History of a Nomadic Culture|isbn= 9781614238041|last1= Heald Phd|first1= Bruce D.|date= 27 November 2012|publisher= Arcadia}}

The lăutari who perform at traditional Romanian weddings are virtually all Roma, although their music draws heavily from a vast variety of ethnic traditions—for example Romanian, Turkish, Jewish, and Slavic—as well as Romani traditions.{{cite web|url=http://colectie.jurnalul.ro/index.php?section=rubrici&article_id=94987&action=print|title=Jurnalul National|website=colectie.jurnalul.ro|access-date=26 May 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416155843/http://colectie.jurnalul.ro/index.php?section=rubrici&article_id=94987&action=print|archive-date=16 April 2013}} Probably the most internationally prominent contemporary performer in the lăutari tradition is Taraful Haiducilor. Zdob şi Zdub, one of the most prominent rock bands in Moldova, although not Roma themselves, draw heavily on Romani music, as do Spitalul de Urgenţă in Romania.

Flamenco music and dance came from the Roma in Spain;{{cite book |last=Hayes |first=Michelle Heffner |date=2009 |title=Flamenco: Conflicting Histories of the Dance |location=North Carolina |publisher=McFarland Books |isbn=978-0786439232 |pages=31–37}} the distinctive sound of Romani music has also strongly influenced bolero, jazz, and Cante Jondo in Europe. European-style Gypsy jazz is still widely practised among the original creators (the Romani People); one who acknowledged this artistic debt was Django Reinhardt.{{cite book|title=Rethinking (In)Security in the European Union: The Migration-Identity-Security Nexus|page=148}}

Belly dancing is a form of dance invented by The Domari of Egypt or Ghawazi, however it was originally seen as "ghetto" and "low class" until the native Egyptians and the Europeans saw and emulated it. Nowadays there are very few original Ghawazi dancers due to the exile and expulsions and discrimination which caused many to go out of work and emigrate.Egypt: Third Edition. p. 101.

Romani music is very important in Eastern European cultures such as Hungary, Russia, and Romania.{{cite book|first=Tom |last=Dalzell|title=The new Partridge dictionary of slang and unconventional English|year=2007|publisher=Routledge|location=London [u.a.]|isbn=978-0415259378|page=943|edition=Reprint.}} Performance practices by Romani musicians have influenced European classical composers such as Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accioncultural.es/virtuales/vidasgitanas/pdf_eng/vidas_git_art5_huella_eng.pdf|title=THE GYSPSY INFLUENCE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC|access-date=30 March 2023}}

{{Main|Romani language}}

{{See also|World Day of Romani Language}}

The Romani language is spoken by millions of Romani people throughout the world.{{cite web

| title = Romani (subgroup)

| work = Ethnologue

| publisher = SIL International

| date = n.d.

| url = http://www.ethnologue.com/subgroups/romani

| access-date = September 15, 2013}} It is of the Indo-Aryan branch. Many Romani people can speak two or more languages. It is not considered an official language because it varies from tribe to tribe.{{cite web|url=https://rm.coe.int/roma-history-factsheets-eng/1680a2f2f8|title=Romani language|website=coe.int|access-date=11 March 2024}} Romani is influenced by Persian, Greek, Armenian, Iranic, Georgian and Arabic.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ReZAlcV7TckC&dq=gypsy+roma+culture+encyclopedia&pg=PA269|title= Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology|page=269|isbn= 978-0-415-09996-7|last1= Barnard|first1= Alan|last2= Spencer|first2= Jonathan|date= 1996|publisher= Taylor & Francis}}{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2L-5lBDPJJMC&dq=gypsy+roma+culture+encyclopedia&pg=PA382|title= Encyclopedia of Race and Ethnic Studies|page=382|isbn= 978-1-134-44706-0|last1= Cashmore|first1= Ellis|date= March 2004|publisher= Routledge}}

{{See also|International Romani Day}}

Each June, Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is celebrated in London.[http://m.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/news/local/event-to-mark-gypsy-and-traveller-day-1-7295623 Event to mark Gypsy and traveller day]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. June 5, 2015. International Romani Day is a holiday celebrated in Europe on April 8, especially in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe.{{Cite web|title=8 April, International Roma Day: "Step up human rights protection for Roma and guarantee their access to vital services during COVID-19 pandemic"|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/full-news/-/asset_publisher/y5xQt7QdunzT/content/8-april-international-roma-day-step-up-human-rights-protection-for-roma-and-guarantee-their-access-to-vital-services-during-covid-19-pandemic-|access-date=2020-11-09|website=coe.int|language=en-GB}} World Roma Festival is a festival celebrated in Prague.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gltsBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA56|title=Gypsies: An Interdisciplinary Reader|page=56|isbn=9781135636371 |last1=Tong |first1=Diane |date=28 January 2015 |publisher=Routledge }} Ederlezi and Kakava are holidays celebrated in spring by the Turkish Roma.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xASqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT498|title=Insight Guides Turkey (Travel Guide with Free eBook)|isbn=9781839051500 |last1=Guides |first1=Insight |date=September 2019 |publisher=Apa Publications (UK) Limited }}

Romani Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 and Easter in either April or May. Romani adults may also fast on these holidays and may eat special foods for these holidays.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ThjHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA253|title=Etiquette and Taboos Around the World: A Geographic Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Customs|isbn=9781440838217 |last1=Taylor |first1=Ken |last2=Williams |first2=Victoria R. |date=5 October 2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA }}

Romani people in Serbia celebrate Bibi and Bibijako Djive.{{Cite web|url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-5-bibi-and-bibijako-djive-in-serbia/1680aac380|title=Bibi and Bibijako Djive in Serbia}}

World Day of Romani Language is celebrated every November 5.{{cite web | url=https://www.coe-romed.org/articles/international-romani-language-day | title=International Romani Language Day | ROMED }}

File:Flag of the Romani people.svg in the center.{{Cite web |last=Myroniuk |first=Iryna |date=2016-03-31 |title=Eight Commonly Accepted Symbols of the Roma People |url=https://rozvitok.org/en/eight-commonly-accepted-symbols-of-the-roma-people/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Human Rights Fund "Progress" |language=en-US}}]]

The Romani flag serves as the international emblem for the Romani community. It was designed by the General Union of the Roma of Romania in 1933. The flag's design initially had two horizontal bars, the bottom being green the top being blue; green representing the earth and terrestrial values, and blue representing the heavens and spiritual values.{{Cite web |last1=Marsh |first1=Amanda |last2=Chowdhury |first2=Asmina Islam |last3=Lee |first3=John |date=June 2020 |title=Gypsy Roma & Traveller History Month: A Tale of Romany Gypsies |url=https://nabmef.uk/media/1518/a-tale-of-romany-gypsies-final.pdf |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=nabmef.uk}} The flag was adopted as the common flag for Romani people at the inaugural World Romani Congress in London in 1971 with the addition of the Roma chakra. The elements of the flag are inter-related, representing the Romani people's path of growth in the physical and spiritual planes throughout life.

The Roma chakra serves as a significant emblem of the identity and culture of the Romani people. The symbol, resembling a Hindu chakra, is a red wagon wheel with 16 spokes. It resembles the wheels of vardo or trailers which served as a home for travelling Roma families, representing the tradition of Romani travellers. The wheel's red colour represents blood that many Roma shed during World War II and those who suffered during the Romani genocide. However, the colour may vary by country or organization, such as in the flag of the Roma movement in Croatia, where the chakra is gold-coloured.

The Romani community employs the slogan "Opre Roma," translating to "Stand Up, Roma!" in the Romani language. This phrase was initially introduced during the Cold War at the inaugural World Romani Congress held on April 8, 1971.

{{See also|Romani anthem}}

The Romani anthem was established in 1971 during the World Romani Congress. This anthem draws its inspiration from the folk song "Gyelem, Gyelem," with the lyrics attributed to Yugoslav Rum and Zarko Jovanovic.

There exist four well-known Romani theatres in the world, Romen Theatre, Romance Theatre, Romanothan and Phralipe, and also many small theatres.{{Cite web|url=https://www.romarchive.eu/en/theatre-and-drama/institutional-theatre/romani-culture-and-social-issues-history-romen-the/|title=The history of the Romen Theatre - RomArchive|website=romarchive.eu|access-date=30 March 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.romarchive.eu/en/music/russia/teatr-romen-moscows-romen-theatre/|title=Teatr Romen - RomArchive|website=romarchive.eu|access-date=30 March 2023}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQKyAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA276|title=Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies)|page=276|isbn=9780810864405 |last1=Kenrick |first1=Donald |date=5 July 2007 |publisher=Scarecrow Press }}

File:Muzeum romske kultury brno.jpg

There are some Romani museums in Europe.{{cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/roma/Source/RomaRoute_EN.PDF|title=Roma Cultural Route|website=coe.int|access-date=5 February 2024}}

The Museum of Romani Culture is located in Brno in the Czech Republic.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LRb8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT305 |title=Political Parties of Eastern Europe: A Guide to Politics in the Post-communist Era|isbn=9781000161359 |last1=Bugajski |first1=Janusz |date=10 September 2020 |publisher=Routledge }}

{{Main|Romani cuisine}}

Romani people do not eat food prepared by a non-Roma.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jyC3DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA137|title=The Gypsies of Eastern Europe|page=137|isbn=9781315490243 |last1=Crowe |first1=David |last2=Kolsti |first2=John |last3=Hancock |first3=Ian |date=22 July 2016 |publisher=Routledge }}

Horse meat is forbidden by Christian Roma. Any Christian Roma who eats horse meat, are punished and banished from their tribe. Cat meat and dog meat are also forbidden and are considered unclean.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T-4kEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT34|title=History of Gypsies|year=2021|isbn=9781664162785 |last1=Sirchie |first1=Venus |publisher=Xlibris Corporation }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P7gwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA38|title=Gypsy Law: Romani Legal Traditions and Culture|page=38|isbn=9780520221864 |last1=Weyrauch |first1=Walter O. |date=12 September 2001 |publisher=University of California Press }}{{cite book|title=Dreams of the Road: Gypsy Life in the West Country|page=141}}

Christian Romani tea is similar to Russian tea and stuffed cabbage is popular among the Roma.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MG0ahVw-kdwC&pg=PA80|page=80|title=We are the Romani People|isbn=9781902806198 |last1=Hancock |first1=Ian F. |year=2002 |publisher=University of Hertfordshire Press }} Berries, vegetables, mushrooms, hedgehog, game and fowl are favored by the Roma.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTdwCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT197|title=Dictionary of Gypsy Life and Lore|year=2015|isbn=9781504022743 |last1=Wedeck |first1=Harry E. |publisher=Open Road Media }}

The Muslim Roma (Horahane) in the Balkans adopted the Islamic culture during the Ottoman Empire period.

There is a Romani restaurant called Romani Kafenava in Maribor, Slovenia. Rabbit stew is a Romani favorite. Other Romani dishes are fried bread dishes, including xaritsa (fried cornbread), pufe (fried wheat bread) and bogacha (baked bread). A Romani dessert is pirogo, a sweet noodle casserole similar to Jewish kugel made with raisins, cream cheese, and butter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/inside-culinary-traditions-roma-people|title=Inside the Culinary Traditions of the Roma people|website=finedininglovers.com|access-date=30 March 2023}}

Stews are common.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p7rOEAAAQBAJ&dq=Gypsies+often+have+health+problems+resulting+from+unhealthy+diets+and+lifestyles.+Studies+of+American+Roma+have+demonstrated+that+the+diet&pg=RA3-PA178 | title=Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia [4 volumes]: [4 volumes] | isbn=978-0-313-37627-6 | last1=Albala | first1=Ken | date=25 May 2011 | publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA }}

Hedgehogs are both eaten and given high status by the Roma.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WCKt0jLk3qIC&dq=gypsies+hedgehog+delicacy&pg=PA102 | title=The Traveller-Gypsies | isbn=978-0-521-28870-5 | last1=Okely | first1=Judith | date=24 February 1983 | publisher=Cambridge University Press }}

Romani individuals are known for their sociable nature and often embrace spontaneous visits from relatives, neighbors, or friends as opportunities for social interaction. Their greetings are warm and include expressions of goodwill and wishes for good health. Generosity, particularly in the form of gift-giving, is regarded as a commendable trait; family members are willing to support one another and friends with financial assistance or other resources, such as food, clothing, or transportation via car or horse when necessary. Young people hold elders in high esteem, both within their families and in the broader community. They appreciate the wisdom of seniors. Referring to them as "old man" and "old woman." Both being terms that convey respect. The youth actively seek the counsel of elders for conflict resolution or guidance, demonstrating their respect by serving them first, allowing them to speak before others, and granting them the final word in serious discussions.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ThjHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA253|title=Etiquette and Taboos around the World: A Geographic Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Customs|first1=Ken|last1=Taylor|first2=Victoria R.|last2=Williams|date=5 October 2017|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA|isbn=978-1-4408-3821-7 |via=Google Books}}

Romanian Roma use parsley leaves to heal bruises.{{cite book | last1=Hoffmann | first1=F. | last2=Manning | first2=M.J. | title=Herbal Medicine and Botanical Medical Fads | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-317-95693-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GAfKAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA170| page=170}} Roma suffering from illness often seek treatment from a Romani doctor, an elderly Roma who uses traditional medicines such as herbs.{{cite book | last=Matras | first=Y. | title=The Romani Gypsies | publisher=Harvard University Press | year=2015 | isbn=978-0-674-36838-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YfQ9BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA92| page=92}} Roma may refuse to seek medical help from non-Roma and use healers, magic, prayer or herbal remedies for illnesses.{{cite book | last1=Loue | first1=S. | last2=Sajatovic | first2=M. | title=Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health | publisher=Springer | issue=v. 1 | year=2011 | isbn=978-1-4419-5655-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zQUd4W_mK1UC&pg=PA1303| page=1303}} A drabarni is a Romani female healer.{{cite book | last1=Taylor | first1=B. | last2=Kaplan | first2=J. | last3=Hobgood-Oster | first3=L. | last4=Ivakhiv | first4=A.J. | last5=York | first5=M. | title=Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature | publisher=Bloomsbury Academic| year=2005 | isbn=978-1-84371-138-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4L7UAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1416| page=1416}} Many Romani classify illness into either romane nasvalimata (natural to Romani people such as heart problems, rashes, anxiety) or gadzikane nasvalimata (the result of contact with non- Roma, such as sexually transmitted diseases).{{cite book |last1=Kemp |first1=Charles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aK_qFjU60DoC&pg=PA302 |title=Refugee and Immigrant Health: A Handbook for Health Professionals |last2=Rasbridge |first2=Lance A. |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=9780521535601 |lccn=2003069744 |oclc=53975535 |ol=7745149M |ol-access=free}}

As many Roma are barred from receiving adequate healthcare as a result of discrimination in many countries in Europe, the general health status among Romani people is considerably poorer than non-Romani populations. High mortality rates is associated with Romani people in Europe.{{Cite journal |last1=Cook |first1=Benjamin |last2=Wayne |first2=Geoffrey Ferris |last3=Valentine |first3=Anne |last4=Lessios |first4=Anna |last5=Yeh |first5=Ethan |display-authors=3 |date=5 October 2013 |title=Revisiting the evidence on health and health care disparities among the Roma: a systematic review 2003–2012 |journal=International Journal of Public Health |volume=58 |issue=6 |pages=885–911 |doi=10.1007/s00038-013-0518-6|pmid=24096986 }} In Italy, estimates suggest that infant mortality rate among Roma babies is nearly three times higher than that of the national average.{{Cite web |title=Breaking the Barriers – Romani Women and Access to Public Health Care |url=https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/180-roma-hc-en.pdf |website=fra.europa.eu}} In addition, health indicators for Roma people – particularly female Roma – are often worse than for other groups in similarly disadvantaged socioeconomic positions.{{Cite web |title=Analysis of FRA Roma survey results by gender |url=http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/ep-request-roma-women.pdf |website=fra.europa.eu}}

Romani people suffer from poorer mental health. Relatively high rates of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, and suicide are found among the Roma. This is consequently caused by the fact they have been ostracized by other ethnic groups for much of their existence, living in poor living conditions among their comparably wealthier European and American counterparts, a lack of awareness and education on mental health, and a restricted access to proper healthcare.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=Tackling Mental Health Inequalities for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller People |url=https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tackling-Mental-Health-Inequalities-for-Gypsy-Roma-and-Traveller-People-final-May-2024.pdf |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=www.gypsy-traveller.org}}

Romani people have lower access to food, resulting in malnutrition and stunted growth, despite living in developed countries. Romani people are also more likely to partake in risky behaviours, including drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and tobacco smoking. In Europe and the Americas, both Roma men and women have significantly higher smoking rates than respective populations, and are more likely to die from preventable smoking-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and many cancers.Nicotine & Tobacco Research

Vol. 18, No. 12 (December 2016), pp. 2260-2267 (8 pages). Oxford University Press. Alcohol consumption rate is also high among the Roma.{{Cite journal |last1=Condon |first1=Louise |last2=Hargreaves |first2=Suzy C. |last3=Barry |first3=Denise |last4=Curejova |first4=Jolana |last5=Morgan |first5=Donna Leeanne |last6=Worrall |first6=Sam |last7=Celik |first7=Filiz |last8=Price |first8=Menna |date=2024 |title=Experiences of Alcohol Use and Harm among Travellers, Roma, and Gypsies: A Participatory Qualitative Study |journal=Health & Social Care in the Community |language=en |volume=2024 |issue=1 |pages=9020329 |doi=10.1155/2024/9020329 |doi-access=free |issn=1365-2524}}

Art among Romani people is important. It is associated with mobility, travelling, trading, creating transportable objects and music.{{cite web|url=https://www.theioi.org/downloads/d9l74/CoE_Protecting%20the%20Rights%20of%20Roma_English.pdf|title=CoE Protecting the Rights of Roma

|website=theioi.org|access-date=5 February 2024}}

{{Main|Romani dress}}

File:Narcisse Diaz de la Peña - The Gypsy Princesses, San Antonio Museum of Art.jpg (c.1865-1870)]]

Turkish Roma traditionally wear Ottoman pants whereas as Christian Roma traditionally wear long skirts.{{cite book | last=Adamou | first=E. | title=The Adaptive Bilingual Mind: Insights from Endangered Languages | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-108-83951-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RvQgEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA119| page=119}}

In most traditional Romani communities, Romani women tend to wear gold bracelets and gold necklaces and headscarves. Traditionally, in southeastern Europe, the headscarves were sometimes decorated with golden coins.{{cite web|url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-1-0-romani-culture-an-introduction/1680aac363|title=Romani Culture: An Introduction|website=rm.coe.int|author=Yaron Matras|access-date=1 January 2024}}

{{Main | Romani literature}}

{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}

Romani literature is written by Romani people.{{Cite web |last=Wogg |first=Michael |title=Romani Literature |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-literature-2-0-romani-literature/1680aac50f |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Romani Project |publisher=Council of Europe}}

{{Main| Romani folklore}}

Romani people have their own ethnic hero. Among the Vlach Roma, it is Mundro Salamon or Wise Solomon. Other Romani groups call this hero O Godjiaver Yanko. Among the Welsh Kale, he is Merlinos (the Wizard), taken from Celtic folklore.{{Cite web |title=Roma {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/roma |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}

Romani people in Slovakia believe in the evil eye.{{cite web |last=Hajská |first=Markéta |title=Factsheets on Romani Culture: The evil eye - Jakhendar |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-3-the-evil-eye-jakhendar/1680aac373 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203130814/https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-2-3-the-evil-eye-jakhendar/1680aac373 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=Romani Project |publisher=Council of Europe |format=PDF}}

{{See|Romani folklore#Romani folktales}}

{{See also| Romani people official football team}}

Boxing is popular among Roma.{{cite web |date=2024-12-23 |title=Where are all the Romani and Traveller sports stars? |url=https://www.errc.org/news/where-are-all-the-romani-and-traveller-sports-stars}}

{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=U_tKDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=roma+gypsy+politics&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQraPw8ZmMAxWkqpUCHWjtAp84ChDoAXoECAYQAw#v=onepage&q=roma%20gypsy%20politics&f=false|title= Rethinking Roma: Identities, Politicisation and New Agendas}}

Some Romani occupations are crafts like metalworking, playing music, animal trading, and fortune-telling.{{cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.uia.org/strategy/reorienting-traditional-gypsy-occupations|title=Reorienting traditional Gypsy occupations}}{{cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/-/romani-professions-as-important-elements-of-intangible-heritage#:~:text=In%20Romany%20culture%20different%20branches,have%20existed%20throughout%20the%20ages.|title=Romani professions as important elements of intangible heritage}}

{{Expand section|date=November 2024}}

Romani people have their own films.{{Cite web |title=Culture - Roma and Travellers - www.coe.int |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/roma-and-travellers/culture |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Roma and Travellers |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Film - RomArchive |url=https://www.romarchive.eu/en/film/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.romarchive.eu}}

Romani people are less educated than other people in country where they live. The primary reason for this is attributed to their culture, as they lack trust in schools and would rather segregate themselves.{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Eben |title=Education of Romani children |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-1-4-education-of-romani-children/1680aac368 |access-date=28 December 2024 |date=2011}} Generally speaking, 10% of Romani people, 20% of Romani boys and 25% of Romani girls are illiterate. The average literacy rate in europe is 98.77%.{{Cite web |title=Lack of Educational Opportunities for the Roma People in Eastern Europe |url=https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/lack-of-educational-opportunities-for-the-roma-people-in-eastern-europe |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Ballard Brief |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Literacy rate in the European union |url=https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/literacy_rate/European-union/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=TheGlobalEconomy.com |language=en}}

In England, 60% of all pupils reached the expected standard in all of English reading, writing and mathematics. Of children identified as Gypsy/Roma, 18% met the expected standard. For those identified as Travellers of Irish Heritage, the figure was 21%. As is common across a range of education indicators, girls outperformed boys. 19% of Gypsy/ Roma girls, and 22% of Traveller of Irish Heritage girls reached the expected standard compared to 16% of Gypsy/ Roma boys, and 19% of Traveller of Irish Heritage boys.{{cite web |date=17 May 2024 |title=Gypsies and travellers: educational outcomes |url=https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/40730/1/CBP-10016.pdf |access-date=28 December 2024 |publisher=UK Parliament}} Text was copied from this source, which is available under the [https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright-parliament/open-parliament-licence/ Open Parliament Licence v3.0]. UK Parliament. 31% of state-funded school pupils identified as Travellers of Irish Heritage attained GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or above – which is described as a ‘standard pass’. The figure for pupils identified Gypsy/Roma was lower, at 16%. Nationally, 65% of state-funded school pupils attained these qualifications. The total number of pupils identified as Traveller of Irish heritage and Gypsy/ Roma at the end of the secondary phase, key stage four, is very small. In the summer 2023 DfE data, there were around 1,400 Gypsy/ Roma pupils and 190 Travellers of Irish Heritage at the end of key stage four, out of around 607,000 pupils overall.

For Bulgaria in 2011 the share of Romani with university degree reached 0.3%, while 6.9% have secondary education; the same share was 22.8%/47.6% for Bulgarians.{{efn|In 2011 the share of Romani with university degree reached 0.3%, while 6.9% have secondary education; the same share was 22.8%/47.6% for Bulgarians.{{cite web | url=https://3seaseurope.com/romani-bulgaria/ | title=The Number of Roma Graduates in Bulgaria is Increasing | date=13 June 2022 }} }}

The Roma traditionally travelled with wagons pulled by horses and donkeys.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xnTZ2A2mqDUC&dq=gypsies+travel+wagons+horses+donkeys&pg=PT218|title=Wild About Horses: Our Timeless Passion for the Horse|first=Lawrence|last=Scanlan|date=7 August 2012|publisher=Random House of Canada|isbn=978-0-307-36422-7 |accessdate=11 March 2024|via=Google Books}} The Gypsy Cob is the most popular breed to pull vardo wagons.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXzqDezPk7MC&dq=gypsy+cob+breed+horse+wagons+romany&pg=PA383|title=The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide: The Complete Guide to the Standards of All North American Equine Breed Association|first=F.|last=Lynghaug|date=2 October 2009|publisher=Voyageur Press|isbn=978-0-7603-3499-7 |accessdate=11 March 2024|via=Google Books}}

Roma Futurism is an artistic movement that integrates elements of science fiction, the historical experiences of the Romani people, fantasy, Romani perspectives, magical realism, and innovative technology, alongside magical practices and healing rituals.{{Cite web |last=Costache |first=Ioanida |date=2021-03-23 |title=Roma Futurism and Roma Healing: historical trauma, possible futures, and a new humanism REVISTA ARTA |url=https://eriac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Costache-Ioanida-2021-Roma-Futurism-and-Roma-Healing_-historical-trauma-possible-futures-and-a-new-humanism-REVISTA-ARTA-23rd-March-pp.1%E2%80%9310.pdf |website=eriac.org}}

{{Cite web |title=Relations between Roma and Gadje |url=https://rm.coe.int/factsheets-on-romani-culture-1-5-relations-between-roma-and-gadje/1680aac369 |website=rm.coe.int}}

File:Sclavi Tiganesti.jpgn poster advertising an auction of Romani slaves]]

There are still tensions between Roma and the majority population around them. Common complaints are that Roma steal and live off social welfare and residents often reject Romani encampments. This has led to Roma being described as "perhaps the most hated minority in Europe."{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4486245.stm |title=Gypsies are 'Europe's most hated' |date=26 April 2005 |website=BBC News Online |publisher=BBC News |access-date=24 August 2013}} In the UK, travellers (referring to both Irish Travellers and Roma) became a 2005 general election issue, with Michael Howard, the then-leader of the Conservative Party promising to review the Human Rights Act 1998.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4367763.stm |title=Tory traveller proposals: Your views |date=23 March 2005 |website=BBC News Online |publisher=BBC News |access-date=24 August 2013}} This law, which absorbs the European Convention on Human Rights into UK primary legislation, is seen by some to permit the granting of retrospective planning permission for Romani communities. Severe population pressures and the paucity of greenfield sites have led to travellers purchasing land and setting up residential settlements almost overnight, thus subverting the planning restrictions imposed on other members of the community.

Travellers argued in response that thousands of retrospective planning permissions are granted in Britain in cases involving non-Romani applicants each year and that statistics showed that 90% of planning applications by Roma and travellers were initially refused by local councils, compared with a national average of 20% for other applicants, potentially disproving claims of preferential treatment favouring Roma. They also argued that the root of the problem was that many traditional stopping-places had been barricaded off and that legislation passed by the previous Conservative government had effectively criminalised their communities by removing local authorities' responsibility to provide sites, thus leaving the travellers with no option but to purchase unregistered new sites themselves.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/southeast/series8/week_three.shtml |title=This Week's Highlights: Gypsies |date=19 September 2005 |website=Inside Out |publisher=BBC Online |access-date=24 August 2013}}

Law enforcement agencies in the United States hold regular conferences on the Roma and similar nomadic groups.{{cite news|title=Gypsies: the Usual Suspects |author=Hector Becerra |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-gypsy30jan30,0,7784207.story |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=30 January 2006 |access-date=24 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413203211/http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-gypsy30jan30,0,7784207.story |archive-date=April 13, 2006 }}

In Denmark, there was much controversy when the city of Helsingør decided to put all Romani students in special classes in its public schools. The classes were later abandoned after it was determined that they were discriminatory and the Romani students were put back in regular classes.{{cite web |url=http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2088 |title=Danish Authorities Find Romani Classes Illegal |date=16 December 2004 |publisher=European Roma Rights Centre |access-date=24 August 2013}}

Romani people have traditionally avoided gadjo because non-Romani are believed to be polluting and defile the Romani world.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySNov0TZRL0C&q=romani+relations+avoid+gadje&pg=PA35|title = Human Rights Abuses of the Roma (Gypsies): Hearing Before the Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations, and Human Rights of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, April 14, 1994|year = 1994| publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |isbn = 9780160448379}}

The Greek Doctor A. G. Paspati made the statement in his Book from 1860, that Turks often married Roma Woman, and the Rumelian Romani dialect is nearly lost by the Muslim Turkish Roma, who speak entirely Turkish.{{cite journal| jstor=592158 | last1=Paspati | first1=A. G. | last2=Hamlin | first2=C. | title=Memoir on the Language of the Gypsies, as Now Used in the Turkish Empire | journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society | year=1860 | volume=7 | pages=143–270 | doi=10.2307/592158 }}

Ernest Gilliat-Smith explained in 1915 that this Turkish Roma in Bulgaria cannot speak Romani language, and compare them with very poor Turks rather than Romani people. The French orientalist Henri Bourgeois referred to the Turkish Roma as Pseudo Chingiane, especially the newspaper Laço who was published in 1910 by Emin Resa.{{cite book |doi=10.30965/9783657705207_004 |chapter=Ottoman Empire |title=Roma Writings |date=2021 |last1=Marushiakova |first1=Elena |last2=Popov |first2=Vesselin |pages=23–33 |isbn=978-3-506-70520-4 }}

File:Roma boy in bear costume sm.jpg

Many countries that were formerly part of the Eastern bloc and former Yugoslavia have substantial populations of Roma. The level of integration of Roma into society remains limited. In these countries, they usually remain on the margins of society, living in isolated, ghetto-like settlements (see Chánov). Only a small fraction of Romani children graduate from secondary schools, though numerous official efforts have been made, past and present, to compel their attendance. Roma frequently feel rejected by the state and the main population, creating another obstacle to their integration. The Muslim Roma (Horahane) in the Balkans adopted the Islamic culture during the Ottoman Empire period.

In the Czech Republic, 75% of Romani children are educated in schools for people with learning difficulties and 70% are unemployed, compared with a national rate of 9%. In Hungary, 44% of Romani children are in special schools, while 74% of men and 83% of women are unemployed. In Slovakia, Romani children are 28 times more likely to be sent to a special school than non-Roma, while Romani unemployment stands at 80%.{{cite news |title=Shame of a continent |author=Gary Younge |author-link=Gary Younge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/08/eu.politics |newspaper=The Guardian |date=8 January 2003 |access-date=24 August 2013}}

In 2004, Lívia Járóka and Viktória Mohácsi of Hungary became the two current Romani Members of the European Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.romarchive.eu/en/roma-civil-rights-movement/building-blocks-romani-womens-movement-europe/|title=The Building Blocks of the Romani Women's Movement in Europe - RomArchive|website=romarchive.eu|access-date=30 March 2023}} The first Romani MEP was Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia of Spain.

Seven former Communist Central European and Southeastern European states launched the Decade of Roma Inclusion initiative in 2005 to improve the socioeconomic conditions and status of the Romani minority.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.columbia.edu/news/archive/greenberg-turns-attention-plight-roma|title=Greenberg Turns Attention To Plight Of The Roma|website=law.columbia.edu|access-date=30 March 2023}}

• Flag of the Romani people
• Gadjo (non-Romani)
• Museum of Romani Culture
• Rom baro (tribal leader)
• Romani folklore
• Romani dress
• Romani studies
• Romani cuisine
• Anti-Romani sentiment

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commonscat}}

• {{cite web | title=European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) | url=https://eriac.org}}
• {{cite web | title=RomArchive | language=en, de, rom | url=https://romarchive.eu}} — education on the arts and civil rights movements
• {{cite web | title=Romani Atlantic | url=https://www.romaniatlantic.cz}} — transcontinental perspective
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100305083212/http://www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/exhibition/roma_journey/eng/index.html A Roma Journey]—explores Romani culture in the Balkans and beyond, including digitised texts, photographs, paintings and recordings of traditional songs.
• {{cite journal |last1=Leeson |first1=Peter T. |title=Gypsy law |journal=Public Choice |date=June 2013 |volume=155 |issue=3–4 |pages=273–292 |doi=10.1007/s11127-012-0048-4 }})
• [https://freakonomics.com/2010/07/27/the-economics-of-gypsies/ The Economics of Gypsies]—Freakonomics
• [http://romanilives.eu/ Romani Lives—Lungo Drom]
• [http://romani.uni-graz.at/rombase/cgi-bin/art.cgi?src=data/ethn/topics/romanipe.en.xml Mention of romanipe as being a Rom]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060620063347/http://dosta.org/?q=node%2F66 Roma culture and traditions: the ROMANIPEN]
• [http://www.d-pils.lv/news/73688 Mention of romanipe as the Romani Code] {{in lang|ru}}
• [http://www.liloro.ru Mention of romanipe as Romani culture] {{in lang|ru}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203329/http://www.poliglos.info/1literal.php?alan=zyg&l=1094 Mention of romanipe as being a Rom] {{in lang|ru}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071203174131/http://free.art.pl/podkowa.magazyn/nr3132/romowie.htm Romowie - bliscy i dalecy. A short definition of romanipe in the text] {{in lang|pl}}
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/romanian/news/story/2005/07/050708_valori_rome.shtml Romanipen-sistemul valorilor rome]—BBC News {{in lang|ro}}

{{Romani topics}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Romani Society And Culture}}