rroma.ORG | Opre

The Rroma, also variously known as Roma, Gypsies, Tsiganes, Tsigan, Gitanos or Gitans, as well as Sinti, Cale, and many other names, Until the XVIIIth century, many thought that Rroma came from Egypt, Nubia or some other "Saracen" land or even, that they were one of the lost Jewish tribes. Since Rroma were and are a closed society, where "foreigners" have little access, outsiders were prevented from learning about Rroma traditions and language. Words from this language nevertheless shed a light about the origins of the Rroma. In 1753, a young Hungarian, Istvan Valyi studied in Leiden in the Netherlands where he met fellow students from India who taught him about 1000 words of their language. Back home, he realised that part of the vocabulary he learned in Leiden was understood by Rroma and he exposed this fact in an article in 1776 marking the beginning of Rroma studies.