The Romani people originated in Northern India 50,000 years ago.
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 , The Romani originated in Northern India and arrived in Mid-West Asia , and Europe soon thereafter , around 1,000 years ago , Romani people in France , generally known in spoken French as `` gitans '' , `` tsiganes '' or `` manouches '' , are an ethnic group which originated in Northern India .