Gitanos (part 1)

Gitanos means Spanish Gypsies.  I prefer to use the Spanish term for a reason:  but first, you need to understand that Gypsies are a race of people, not a way of life.  Next, you should know that Gypsies in countries other than Spain do not like the term "Gypsy" (or its equivalent in the language of their native land).  For a variety of reasons, they prefer to be called "Roma."

But in Spain, gitanos not only accept the term but are proud of it, as well they should be.

Some of the actors in my drama, Domino, are gitano, and some are not.

There are no ancient, written sources that explain exactly where gitanos (or any Roma) came from but because of language similarities, it is assumed that they originated in western India.  At any rate, about 500 years ago, they began being mentioned in European sources, passing slowly through from west to east.  Some stayed mostly in eastern Europe, while others moved further on, into France, England and other countries.  Within in the space of 100 years of first being mentioned in European sources, some had reached Spain.

Others entered Spain moving east across northern Africa and eventually crossing over into southern Spain.

So, gitanos have been in Spain for just about as long as European immigrants and their descendants have been in the United States.
_______________

NOTE:  We are currently filming a documentary about flamenco which stresses the importance of gitanos to that art form - hence, these posts.  Learn more about the documentary on its web page www.FlamencotheLandMovie.com.