Roma People
The Roma (or Romani people) are a widely-dispersed ethnic group with roots in northwestern India, now living throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and beyond.
Numbering over 6 million in Europe alone, the Roma are renowned for their vibrant traditions, music, dance, storytelling, and strong community ties. Their history is characterized by a nomadic lifestyle, adaptability, and significant influence on the cultures of many countries.
Igbo Flag and Symbols
Roma Flag
・Blue (sky) over green (earth) with a red 16-spoked wheel (“chakra”) in the center, symbolizing freedom, travel, and their Indian origins.
The Wheel (Chakra)
・Represents migration, movement, and the Roma’s journey through history.
Language
・Name： Romani (Romanes)
・Language Family： Indo-European > Indo-Aryan
・Speakers：Estimated 3–4 million (numerous dialects)
・Grammar： Agglutinative with complex noun/verb inflections; SVO (Subject–Verb–Object) word order
・Usage： Spoken within Roma communities and families, but most Roma are also fluent in the national language of their country of residence.
Script
Writing System
・Traditionally oral, but now Romani is mainly written using the Latin alphabet.
・In some countries, Cyrillic or Greek scripts are also used.
▶Romani Alphabet
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Common Romani Greetings and Phrases
| English | Romani | Pronunciation |
| Hello | Sastipe! | sah-STEE-peh |
|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Devlesa! | DEV-leh-sah |
| Thank you | Nais tuke | nighs TOO-keh |
| Nice to meet you | Te aves baxtalo | teh AH-ves bakh-TAH-loh |
| Good night | Lačhi rat | LAH-chee raht |
| Delicious | Lačhi | LAH-chee |
| Fun/Enjoyable | Baxtalo | bakh-TAH-loh |
Note
Romani varies greatly by region, so expressions and pronunciations may differ.
Region
Continent: Europe
Region: Primarily throughout Europe (especially Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Spain, Serbia, Russia, etc.), as well as the Middle East, North Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia.
Access Guide
the Roma People Region
Example Routes to the Roma People (Romania, Bucharest)
| Departure City | Direct/Transit | Arrival Airport | Flight Time (approx.) | Reference Fare (one-way/round-trip, Economy) |
| Los Angeles | LA → via London/Paris/Doha → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 17–23 hr | US$900–1,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | NY → via Paris/London/Doha → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 11–16 hr | US$700–1,200 |
| London | London → direct or via Vienna → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 3–4.5 hr | £80–250 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo → via Doha/Istanbul/Vienna → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 16–20 hr | ¥130,000–200,000 |
| Sydney | Sydney → via Doha/Istanbul → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 21–28 hr | A$1,300–2,200 |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong → via Istanbul/Doha → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 15–21 hr | HK$7,200–10,500 |
| Shanghai | Shanghai → via Istanbul/Doha → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 16–22 hr | CNY5,100–7,800 |
| Singapore | Singapore → via Istanbul/Doha → Bucharest | Bucharest Airport (OTP) | About 15–20 hr | S$970–1,500 |
Language Origin
Language Origin & Historical Background
・Romani originated in northwestern India, with migration to the West beginning around the 10th century.
・As the Roma migrated, their language absorbed words and influences from Persian, Greek, Slavic, and other European languages.
・The result is a language with many dialects and a rich, layered vocabulary.
Traditional Games
For Children
Dilo
A simple game played with stones or coins—testing luck, skill, or involving simple tricks.
Improvised singing and rhythm games
Using handclaps or basic instruments for fun and learning.
For Adults
Dance
flamenco, czardas, and other styles influenced by national cultures
Card and tarot reading
Fortune-telling is a traditional Roma livelihood, especially among women.
Music sessions
Impromptu performances using violin, guitar, and other instruments at gatherings and festivals.
Introduction video
Summary
・The Igbo are a major ethnic group in Nigeria, numbering over 30 million.
・Uli patterns and masks are cultural symbols.
・Igbo is a tonal Niger–Congo language with many unique expressions.
・Rich in traditional games like Okwe, wrestling, and masquerade dancing.