The English word 'gypsy' comes from 'Egyptian' which is where many people once believed the Roma came from. In fact, as far as is known, the Roma people seem to have originated in India. The Romani language has some elements in common with Indian languages and there are aspects of traditional Roma rituals, especially around cleanliness and purification, which are similar to those found in Hinduism.

Roma, or Gypsies as they were more usually known from this time, have been in Europe since the Middle Ages. Over time the word has come to be used rather vaguely for anyone who lives a nomadic life on the edges of a settled community. This has caused some confusion as of course numbers of other people have lived, and do live, in quite a similar way to the Roma. Irish Travellers are a modern British example.

You can learn more about the origins, history and traditions of Gypsies here.