11,003. ON THE CENSUS OF ROMA

ON THE CENSUS OF ROMA

The Roma, also known as Gypsies, 

are people of South Asian origin 

who migrated centuries ago to 

Europe, where they have often 

suffered severe discrimination. 

Some have lived in itinerant 

communities, largely isolated 

from the societies around them, 

while many others have settled 

and integrated. Mostly, they 

live marginalized existences, 

amidst other, or in camps or 

communities of their own.

With their own rites and 

practices. 120,000 - 180,000, 

it is estimated, in Italy. They 

have been, in Italy, derived 

mostly from immigrants 

from old Roumania and 

the former Yugoslavia. 

Those considered 'stateless' 

cannot there fore be expelled, 

by some legal quirk. One of 

Italy's best known Roma 

performers is Santino Spinelli. 

In the Second World War, though 

not nearly as well known, 

mourned or publicized, the 

Roma population too was 

decimated by Hitler's Holocaust  

- same camps, same deaths.