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Ancient tribe Romani people - Ancestry and origin

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Where is the origin of the Roma?

The Roma are known by a variety of names: "Zigeuner“ (German), "Gitanes“ (French), "Czigany“ (Hungarian) and "Gypsy“ (English). They are erroneously attributed an Egyptian origin. In reality, the Roma come from northwest India. They speak Romany, which is an Indian language whose name is derived from the word "Roma." It means "humans" or "people." One theory of their origin explains the exile of the group from India in the 11th century by their being recruited to fight the Islamic invaders, whom they then pursued back into the Byzantine Empire and southeastern Europe.

What is the culture of the Roma?

The Roma have long lived on the margins of society, in part to escape discrimination but also due to their wandering way of life. For many centuries, the families traveled in colorfully painted horse-drawn wagons and practiced such trades as were compatible with their sort of nomadic life. They were horse trades, peddlers, weavers, musicians, soothsayers, and performers.
Over the course of time, the Roma have taken on various confessional allegiances, and were often dependent on the locally prevailing traditions. Though they observed many of the rites of their religion, they occasionally added their own. The Roma members of the Roman-Catholic Church, for example, gather each May in the Rhône River delta to revere the Black Sarah, their Patron Saint, though she is not officially recognized by the Church.

What is the recent history of the Roma?

Today, the Roma are a minority in every country in Europe, and their number worldwide is estimated to be between eight and twelve million. Exact numbers are unknown. Their long history of discrimination has led to many Roman yet today being unwilling to disclose their origins. During the Second World War, more than a half million Roma were murdered by the Nazis. Communist Regimes have also oppressed the Roma culture.
While the birth rates of other ethnic groups in Europe are declining, those of Roma are increasing. Some demographers have reached the conclusion, that there will be more Roma than Slovaks in Slovakia in the year 2060.

Genetic indigenous peoples by iGENEA

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Shedding New Light on Personal Identity and Heritage: The iGENEA DNA Test's Impact on Understanding my Surname 'Peter'

Receiving the iGENEA DNA test results has brought a profound insight into my personal identity and heritage, casting a new light on the meaning of my family name, 'Peter'. This experience showed me how deeply my surname is tied to my identity, reinvigorating my understanding of self and my connection to the past.
» Field report from T. Peter

Unveiling a Hidden Ancestral Narrative: Unfolding the Rickli Lineage through an iGENEA DNA Test

My journey with my DNA test at iGENEA commenced with me seeking information about possible historical backgrounds and geographical roots related to the Rickli name. However, I was unprepared for the depth and width of the knowledge that would emerge, reshaping my understanding of my heritage. The insights spanned from geographical regions and historical timelines to ethnological and sociocultural aspects related to the Rickli lineage. Defying my initial expectations of strong Germanic ties, the DNA test revealed a fascinating Eastern European ancestry associated with my Rickli roots. This discovery immediately expanded my understanding of my ancestry and challenged my preconceived notions about my heritage. In addition to rewriting my European lineage, it introduced an unexpected Slavic dimension to my ancestry. The DNA test further offered insights into the societal roles the Rickli ancestors played over the centuries, imprinting a sense of inherited pride and responsibility on my identity. Unexpectedly, I ascertained ties to the medieval artisanal guilds, signifying a lineage forged not in nobility but in a proud tradition of craftsmanship. This uncovered knowledge has influenced my self-understanding significantly, revealing myself not merely as a lone individual but as a tangible part of a broader human narrative, connecting me to the past, present, and future. Knowing this unfamiliar and nuanced inheritance has been empowering and enlightening. It has broadened my perspectives about my ancestry and invited me to explore further the customs, cultures, and traditions of the geographical regions associated with the Rickli clan. Engaging with this new self-knowledge has enabled me to embrace parts of my identity I was unaware of, allowing a more complete and significant understanding of myself.
» Field report from K. Rickli

This is how the DNA origin analysis works

A Mucus Sample suffices to get a sample of your DNA. Taking the sample is simple and painless and can be done at home. Send the samples with the envelop included in the sampling kit.

Order test kit
Get test kit
Take samples

at home, simple and painless

Send in samples

with the enclosed envelope

Result

online after approx. 5 weeks

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