Romani Music
Romani music is the music of the Romani people.
In the English language, Romani people have long been known by the exonym Gypsies or Gipsies and this remains the most common English term for the group. Some Roma use and embrace this term while others consider it to be derogatory or an ethnic slur.
Historically nomadic, though now largely settled, the Romani people have long acted as entertainers and tradesmen in Europe. In many of the places Romani live they have become known as musicians. The wide distances travelled have introduced elements from Indian, Greek (Byzantine), Persian, Armenian, Turkish, Balkan, German and French music.
It is difficult to define the parameters of a unified Romani musical style, as there are differences in melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and formal structures from region to region. Lyrics to Romani songs may incorporate one or more dialects of the Romani language, and dance frequently accompanies Romani music performance.
The quintessentially Spanish flamenco is to a very large extent the music (and dance, or indeed the culture) of the Romani people of Andalusia.
Romani people are descendants of skilled Indian musicians and dancers who were sent to Iran. Sekandar Amān Allāhi references many historical records that detail the movement of Romani groups through Iran during the Sasanian Empire era. He also cited a famous excerpt from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, where the Sasanian king Bahram V requested the Indian king to send 10,000 luri men and women who were expert lute players to Iran.
The Romani community has significantly influenced flamenco, jazz manouche, Russian ‘romances’, Balkan music, Hungarian czardas, and various fusions with jazz, hip-hop, Western art music, and various folk genres across Europe.
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