The Gypsies (or Gipsies) are a traditionally nomadic people with a unique culture and lifestyle. There are an estimated 12 million Gypsies and they live on every continent. They refer to themselves as Roma or Rroma, meaning "Man" or "People." The word "Gypsy" itself was the result of the common misconception that the Gypsies came from Egypt.

It is believed that the Gypsies originated from NW India and left for Persia in the 1st millennium AD and had several diasporas. They moved more north and west, from country to country as they were alternately welcomed and persecuted until they had spread to every part of Europe by the start of the 16th century. They arrived in North America in the late 1800s.

Their arrival in different countries as sorcerers, healers, and fortunetellers threatened authority, and they were forced to live private lives on the outskirts of society. They would...