Roma music

Romani music is often referred to as Gypsy (or gipsy) music. Typically nomadic, the Romani people have long acted as wandering entertainers and tradesmen. In all the places Romanies live—in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and northwest India— they have become known as musicians. The wide distances travelled have introduced a multitude of influences, starting with Indian roots and adding Greek, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Czech, Slavic, Romani... more

Romani music is often referred to as Gypsy (or gipsy) music. Typically nomadic, the Romani people have long acted as wandering entertainers and tradesmen. In all the places Romanies live—in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and northwest India— they have become known as musicians. The wide distances travelled have introduced a multitude of influences, starting with Indian roots and adding Greek, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Czech, Slavic, Romanian, German, French, Spanish and Celtic touches. Romani music characteristically has vocals that tend to be soulful and declamatory, and the music often incorporates prominent glissandi (slides) between notes. Instrumentation varies widely according to the region the music comes from. DNA evidence conclusively shows the Romanis descended from an Indian people and migrated westward in several waves, probably all before AD 1000. Romanis still live in India, in Rajasthan and other areas, and work in multiple castes. These include the puppeteer... less