Gyps

Gyps is an ethnonym historically used to refer to Romani people, a diverse group with origins traced to the Indian subcontinent. The term is contested: many Romani prefer to be identified as Romani or Roma, and terms such as Gypsy or Gyps can be considered pejorative in some contexts. In scholarly and policy writing, Romani or Roma is commonly used.

Romani people originated in northwest India and began migrating westward around the first millennium CE, eventually spreading across Europe and other regions. Today Romani populations are found worldwide, with sizable communities in Europe and substantial populations in the Americas. Estimates of total numbers vary, reflecting undercounting and self-identification differences, but the Romani are among the continent’s largest minority groups.

Linguistically, Romani languages belong to the Indo-Aryan branch, with numerous dialects. Many Romani people also speak the majority language of their country or region. Cultural practices are diverse, reflecting a range of subgroups and regional influences; common threads include family-centered social structures, music, crafts, and varied traditional occupations. Notable subgroups include Kalderash, Sinti, and others, each with distinct customs and dialects.

History and rights: Romani communities have faced long histories of discrimination, persecution, and forced assimilation in various countries. The Holocaust targeted Roma and Sinti during World War II. In contemporary times, Roma rights movements advocate for education access, anti-discrimination protections, housing, health care, and inclusion in public life.

Notes on terminology: population figures are estimates and subject to change. The preference today is to use Romani or Roma; using the term that individuals or communities prefer is considered respectful.