The Romani ( also spelled Romany ; [ ˈroʊməni ] , [ ˈrɒ - ] ) , or Roma , are a traditionally nomadic ethnic group , living mostly in Europe and the Americas and originating from the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent , They are a dispersed people , but their most concentrated populations are located in Europe , especially Central , Eastern and Southern Europe ( including Turkey , Spain and Southern France ) . The Romani originated in Northern India and arrived in Mid-West Asia , and Europe soon thereafter , around 1,000 years ago , There are an estimated one million Roma in the United States ; and 800,000 in Brazil , most of whose ancestors emigrated in the nineteenth century from eastern Europe . In migrations since the late nineteenth century , Romani have also moved to other countries in South America and to Canada .
The Romani people have settled their claims in South America.