THE TRUE NAME of the « gitans » , « gypsies » « tziganes » , « bohemians »
IS : ROMA.

The ROMA people originated in the North of India and migrated Westward beginning in the 11th century.

The original language of the ROMA is known as Romani and is composed of 60% Sanskrit.

Today there are about 12 to 15 millions ROMA in the world.

Not all Roma are nomadic 80% live in one place.

For one thousand years, this group has been the victim of forced assimilation and of persecutions in Europe and elsewhere.

The majority of stereotypes concerning them are false or erroneous, and discrimination against them is largely based on ignorance of their original culture.

The ROMA people are very rarely recognized as an ethnic minority making up part of a national culture.

Throughout the centuries, many ROMA were put to death for the sole reason and « crime » of being Roma.

Millions of Roma were murdered in the Nazi concentration camps during the
Second World War (1939-45)

As a people, the Roma of today are looking to find back their dignity,their culture and acces to a better life.

Representatives of the ROMA are fighting for their recognition as a landless nation so that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms will truly be enforced throughout the world.

The other principal claims are: the status of an international ethnic minority, a seat at the UN and the EU (European Union)

Some ROMA celebrities: CHARLIE CHAPLIN, YUL BRYNNER, RITA HAYWORTH, DJANGO REINHARDT, CARMEN AMAYA, BOB HOSKINS, MICHAEL CAÏNE…