Indian Gypsies


Figure 1.--This photo was taken in Maharashtra state amomg the Banjara, often described as the Indian gypsies. Some believe that the Banjara are the root Gypsey group, the ancestors of modern European Gypsies. The Banjara were noted for their nomadic life style. Over time, many have migrated from northern to soiuthern India.

Most scholars believe that the ancestors of European Gypsies began emigrating from northern India (11th century AD). Some sources say they fled Muslim invaders, others that they were expelled by the Muslim rulers who entered norther India. The contemporary Indian people that are believe to shares a relationship with the Roma are the Banjara and to a lesser extent the Domba. One theory claims that the Banjara descended from Jews the Romans expelled from Palestine. The Banjara apparently came to India from Egypt and Persia although there is no real documentation of this. Nor do we know of any DNA evidence of this Jewish relationship. There is no know Jewish religious heritage. The term Gypsy is a coruption of the Egyptia, reflkecting the common belief in Europe that they originated in Egypt. As far as we know, however, ther was nor real basis for this belief at the time the term became common. The Englishg language term appeared in the 16th century. The Banjara today are spread out all over India, but are concentrated in the south. The Banjara are primarily Hindu, but there are some Muslims as well. The topic is very complicated. There are more than 50 different names used to describe them, in some case terms for related groups or subgroups. Because of their nomadic life style and migration to different areas, many local mames developed for them. About half of the Banjara speak Lambadi or Lamani and about a quarter speak Banjara. Other speak a wide variety of India's many regional languages. We are unsure about the linguistic relationship of these languages to European Romani. They presumably all have Sanskrit roots with words adopted from the various countries in which different Gypsey bands javce lived over time. The Banjara are often referred to as the gypsies of India. We do not know if there have been DNA studies conducted to prove historical links. The term may desctibe life style similarities as the Banjra like European Gypsies had nomadic life styles. The term Banjara has been variously asessed. One source suggests is derived from the word 'bajika', which means trade or business and from 'banji', meaning peddlers pack. Another source describes Banjara as a colloquial form of the Sanskrit 'vana chara' meaning 'forest wanderers'. This apparently related to their role of as forest wood gatherers. Many Banjara live in poverty in India today. The nomadic life style prevented the children from getting an education. Many have now begun to settle into permanent locations.







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Created: 11:16 PM 6/16/2012
Last updated: 11:16 PM 6/16/2012