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Roma music is highly varied among the diverse communities of the Roma (aka Gypsies). By far the most popular form of Roma music among outsiders is flamenco, which developed in the Spanish Roma community. In all the places Roma live, in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and northwest India, they have become known as musicians. Typically nomadic, Roma have long acted as wandering entertainers and tradesmen. The wide distances travelled have introduced a multitude of influences, using Indian roots and adding Arab, Persian, Slavic, German, French, Spanish and Celtic flourishes.Roma music characteristically has high pitch note s and melodies that outsing the harmonies. Vocals tend to be soulful and declamatory, and the music often produces an exaggerated slide between notes. Instrumentation varies widely, but shawm and drum duos are common across the Roma's range.
Though no conclusive proof has been found, most historians believe that Roma are descended from an Indian people and migrated westward in several waves, probably all before 1000 AD. Roma still live in India, however, in Rajasthan and other areas, and work in multiple castes. These include the puppeteer BhatBhat meaning "Priest", is a surname that is common in many ethnicities in India. This is predominantly a Hindu surname. This surname is commonly used in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat (spelled "Bhatt") and Kashmir (spelled "Butt")., snake charmer Sapera and jugglerJuggling is often considered to include only Toss Juggling, the art of repeatedly throwing several objects in the air and catching them, so that at least one object remains in the air at all times. Common toss juggling props include balls, beanbags, rings Kamad castes, as well as Bhopa , LangaLanga is a village in the Harju County, Estonia, the center of the municipality of Padise . and Manganiyar musicians. Rajasthani Roma instruments include the kamayacha , a sort of fiddle, and khartal , a kind of castanetsRenoir's 1909 painting Dancing girl with castanets The castanets are a percussion instrument ( idiophone), much used in Moorish music, Gypsy music, Spanish music and Latin American music. The instrument consists of a pair of concave shells joined on one e.
Roma moved west from India, spreading throughout what is now IranIran ( Persian: ) is a Middle Eastern country located in southwestern Asia that until 1935 was referred to in the West as Persia''. It borders Pakistan (909km of border) and Afghanistan (936km) to the east, Turkmenistan (1000km) to the northeast, the Casp, IraqThe Republic of Iraq is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia encompassing the ancient region of Mesopotamia. It shares borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to the south, Turkey to the north, Syria to the north-west, Jordan to the west and Iran to, Armenia and other Middle Eastern countries. By 1050, Roma are believed to have been playing music in Constantinople. By the end of the 15th century, Roma lived in Bulgaria, Egypt, Romania, Hungary, Sudan, Greece and Serbia. From there, they have spread to the remainder of Europe, and now exist in small numbers abroad.
Roma communities are common in Arab and Middle Eastern countries, but are often found in southern parts of India as well. There is a strong tradition of Roma music in Central and Eastern Europe, notably in countries such as Hungary, Romania and the former Yugoslavia. The quintessentially Spanish flamenco is the music (and dance, or indeed the culture) of the Roma of Andalusia.
