Are some people eal Gypsies?
The term ‘Gypsy’ usually refers to people descended from a migration of peoples from the North Indian subcontinent. Migrants from India came to Europe in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries and their ancestry can be traced partly through their language. The differences between Gypsy groups are not issues of being more ‘real’ or authentic than others. It is thought, for example, that Gypsies from Europe married and worked with Scottish ‘tinklers’, who were already working and living on the road in Scotland. Some Scottish Gypsies/Travellers believe that they are partly descended from metal workers serving with the Roman armies. The metal workers did not fight for the Romans, had sallow complexions and spoke their own language. When the Romans left these people stayed in Britain and returned to their nomadic life-styles. Scottish Gypsies/Travellers, like other British and European groups, are an ethnic minority group who share some common history and culture.
