The Gypsies are also called Romani after the language they speak. Romani has a striking similarity to the languages spoken in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent. Romani is more a spoken language than a written language. Illiteracy rates are high among the Gypsies. Over the centuries, Romani has absorbed many words from the surround vocabulary. This fact is used to trace the migratory patterns of different clans within the gypsies.
The gypsies have adopted the prevalent religion of their place of stay. hence there are Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Muslim Gypsies.
Inspite of foreign influences in their culture, communal identity is very strong among the gypsies. Sometimes, contacts with outsiders has been considered polluting. Family ties are very strong among the gypsies. Marriage is arranged by parents of the groom and bride and custom of bride price prevails in some clans. A strict code of sexual morality prevails.
These gentle people have over the years been scorched by the fires of persecution kindled by tyrants. In the 15th and 17th century the spanish government passed laws which forbade gypsy dress, language and customs. In 1563, the Gypsies were asked to leave Britain under the threat of death. Persecution reached its zenith under the Nazis, in during the Second World war. As many as 500,000 perished in concentration camps under the Nazi regime.
Today, a new threat faces these people. They are increasingly being pressurized by modern civilization to abandon their old way of life. Many of the young have settled in cities and have abandoned their old customs.
The United Nations recognised the Roma as a unique ethnic group in 1979. The International Romani Union represents the Romani at the UN. It campaigns for civil rights in specific regions and countries
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