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'''Gypsies''' are an [[ethnic]] group, properly known as 'Romani' or 'Roma', who are believed to have migrated to Europe from present day [[Rajasthan]] <ref>Donald Kenrick. Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies). Scarecrow Press</ref> in [[India]] over 1000 years ago due to Islamic Invasions.<ref>https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2010/08/why-do-the-roma-wander.html</ref> Alternatively [[Herodotus]] called them '''[[Sigynnae]]''' and claimed that they were colonists from [[Medes|Media]].<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>

'''Gypsies''', (''alt. sp.'' Gipsy) also known as 'Romani' or 'Roma'<ref>Donald Kenrick. Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies). Scarecrow Press</ref> are an inherently nomadic [[ethnic]] group centered in regions of [[Romania]], but scattered across Europe and even into the bounds of Asia.  They maintain their own distinctive culture regardless of their host cultural groups.  Their current population is estimated to be approximately 15 million, but accurate data remains elusive due to their nomadic lifestyle.<ref>http://europeandcis.undp.org/uploads/public/File/rbec_web/vgr/chapter1.1.pdf</ref>  

They are most noted for their nomadic culture; their population is approximately 15 million,<ref>http://europeandcis.undp.org/uploads/public/File/rbec_web/vgr/chapter1.1.pdf</ref> although, due to the above fact, this is very difficult to measure accurately. The term Gypsy (''alt. sp.'' Gipsy) comes from an ancient belief that the Roma were outcasts from Egypt.  

 

Our English name of ''Gypsy'' stems from the word ''Egyptian'', as many believed that their darker skin tones indicated an Egyptian origin.  Yet the vast majority of European language groups maintain variations synonymous with [[Herodotus|Herodotus']] '''Sigynnae''' (Greek:Σιγὐννας, Si-gy-nas)<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>, a term that 5th century Greeks equated with "hucksters", small trader; a term most consistent with stereotypical depictions of this cultural group.  [[Herodotus]] also notes that their name was also used in [[Cyprus]] for "spears".<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>

 

Below is a list of some of the larger language groups with their local spellings and English transliterations (for non-latin text), clearly showing that their name has varied little in Europe from the 5th century BC Greek Σιγὐννας ('''Sigynnae''')<ref>[[Herodotus]], ''Histories'', 5.9</ref>:

 

Bulgarian: циганин, '''tsiganin'''; Romanian: '''țigan'''; Serbian: циганин, '''ciganin'''; Macedonian: циган, '''cigan'''; Russian: цыганка, '''tsyganka'''; Ukranian: циганка, '''tsyhanka'''; Albanian: '''cigan'''; Croatian: '''ciganka'''; Czech: '''cikán'''; Slovak: '''cikán'''; Slovenian: '''ciganka'''; Lithuanian: '''čigonas'''; Latvian: '''čigāniete'''; Turkish: '''Çingene'''; German: '''Zigeuner''' (masculine) & '''Zigeunerin''' (feminine); Polish: '''cygański'''; Hungarian: '''cigány'''; Italian: '''zingaro''' (masculine) '''zingara''' (feminine); Danish: '''sigøjner'''; Norwegian: '''sigøyner'''; Swedish: '''zigenare'''; Fresian: '''sigeuner'''; Dutch: '''zigeuner'''; Luxembourgish: '''Zigeinerin'''; Portugese: '''cigano''' (masculine) '''cigana''' (feminine); Esperanto: '''cigano'''.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some such as Kenrick who claim that the ''Gypsies'' originated from present day [[Rajasthan]]<ref>Donald Kenrick. Historical Dictionary of the Gypsies (Romanies). Scarecrow Press</ref> in [[India]] who fled over 1000 years ago due to Islamic Invasions.<ref>https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2010/08/why-do-the-roma-wander.html</ref>.  Yet 5th century etymological usage (which has broadly passed to most relevant language groups) and reference to their expansive existence within Europe at that time can not be denied, necessitating a much older origin.

 

More classically, [[Herodotus]] claimed that the Sigynnae/Gypsies were colonists from [[Medes|Media]] and that they still even in his day wore Median attire.  He also understood that they predominantly lived north of the [[Danube|Ister]] but could be found as far as [[Venice]].  This position is more consistent with their physical form.

==Persecution of Gypsies==

==Persecution of Gypsies==

Some work has been carried out, however, to encourage integration; in the [[UK]], under the [[Human Rights Act 1998]], for example, the subsidized purchase of greenfield sites is being discussed, to give Romani and other Travellers accommodation.

Some work has been carried out, however, to encourage integration; in the [[UK]], under the [[Human Rights Act 1998]], for example, the subsidized purchase of greenfield sites is being discussed, to give Romani and other Travellers accommodation.

==References==

=References=

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