Roma, their History, Culture, Traditions, and News

  • The Roma
    The Roma
    Roma are variously known as Rroma, Gypsies, Tsiganes, Tsigan, Gitanos or Gitans, as well as Sinti, Cale, and many other names. They are Europeans, having arrived...
  • History
    History
    Apart from the non-controversial fact that Roma come from India, the rest of the Roma early history is a subject of controversy. When did Roma...
  • Language
    Language
    Roma have an Indian based language, a discovery of 1753.  Romanes, or Romani Čhib, is the language of the Roma. This fact is little known...
  • Traditions
    Traditions
    The Roma culture is not a written one and has kept its unity and consistency in spite of savage assaults. Traditions were one of the...
  • Music
    Music
    What is Roma music? What is Roma music? This seemingly innocuous question has fed quite an industry. From the 18th century onward, musicians, scientist have...
  • Reports
    Reports
    All reports presented here are strictly copyrighted to the Rroma Foundation Zürich. These reports were compiled by our staff while on surveys in various countries.
  • Questions & Answers
    Questions & Answers
    When hearing about Roma, when reading about them, a wealth of clichés, generally accepted “truths” and statements are always present. This summary presents the most...
  • Galleries
    Galleries
    These galleries are either the work of amateurs, documenting the situation in a specific region at a specific time (for example in Bosnia in 2001,...
  • Literature
    Literature
    Various informations and references on Rroma and on this site.

Who are Roma? Where do they come from? What is the difference between Roma, Sinti, Gypsies, Cale, Tsiganes, Zigeuner, Travellers? Do they have a language? Where do they come from? How many are there in Europe? What are their traditions?

These and many more questions are treated at length in these pages on Roma, history, language, traditions, music, but also in shorter form in the questions and answers page.

The page also has resources on literature, reports and many more items.

Recent News on Roma

  • Theatre
    September 26, 2026
    On September 18, 2026, the International Youth Center in Ruse hosted a youth theater event featuring forum theater, where Romanian...
  • Really?
    September 26, 2026
    According to the article, the Romanian government is offering €50,000 in non-repayable funding to young Roma individuals (ages 18-30) to...
  • Roma in Zakarpattia
    September 26, 2026
    Students from the Berehiv (Zakarpattia Ukraine) Gymnasium "Opre Roma" participated in an eco-educational event focused on biodiversity conservation and bird...
  • Roma Resistance Day
    September 26, 2026
    The article discusses the debate surrounding the commemoration of the Roma Resistance Day on May 16, which some historians question...
  • János Szapula
    September 26, 2026
    Hundreds gathered in Taktakenéz to light candles in memory of local councilor János Szapula, who was fatally attacked at work...
  • Slovakia, Roma, and NGOs
    September 26, 2026
    Rudolf Budai, a Romani goldsmith, has joined the political party Právo na pravdu to advocate for the Romani community and...
  • Museum of Romani Culture
    September 26, 2026
    The Czech Culture Ministry plans to hold a competitive selection process for the new director of the Museum of Romani...
  • Roma Politics
    September 25, 2026
    An important meeting for the Romani Party of Vrancea, Romania,  took place, focusing on the party's reorganization following a scandal...
  • Braunau …
    September 25, 2026
    Braunau am Inn celebrates the 25th anniversary of the RoSi-Rastplatz, a unique project supporting Roma and Sinti travelers, recognized for...
  • Roma “Problematic”
    September 25, 2026
    The Dolenjska People's Initiative held its fourth consultation in Novo mesto regarding issues related to the Roma community and conditions...
  • Hamidović Family
    September 25, 2026
    Roberto Hamidović and six family members were sentenced for forcing children into mass pickpocketing in Paris, with Hamidović receiving eight...
  • Šerutnipe
    September 25, 2026
    Roma leaders from various European countries gathered in Skopje to discuss political participation and how mandates can lead to tangible...
  • Nice but …
    September 25, 2026
    The project "Bridge of Colors: Uniting Cultures through Creativity and Knowledge" has commenced in Shumen, aimed at fostering interaction among...
  • Romani Politics
    September 24, 2026
    The Civil Movement of Roma in Serbia announced its decision to withdraw from negotiations for a joint electoral list with...
  • Housing Discrimination?
    September 24, 2026
    A young Romni, B.R., raised in child protection, has written an open letter to the mayor of Cluj, Emil Boc,...
  • Inclusion of Marginalised Communities
    September 24, 2026
    The Slovak Government Council for the Inclusion of Marginalized Roma Communities held its first meeting on September 22, 2026, in...
  • Róbert Hamburgbadžo
    September 24, 2026
    Róbert Hamburgbadžo discusses his journey from a poor Roma background to becoming a journalist, emphasizing the challenges of Romani journalism...
  • So Vakeres?
    September 24, 2026
    The Romani show "So vakeres - Kaj govoriš?" airs twice a month and is produced by Romani journalists in Serbia. Approximately...
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