New York Latin Culture Magazine ™

World-class Indigenous, European & African Culture since 2012

You are here: Home / Latin / Asian NYC / Romani NYC

Romani NYC

Romani are originally traveling court musicians from Rajasthan Northern India. We are still there.

In Medieval times, Romani traveled all the way to Spain, absorbing influences all along the way. Romani culture has Indian, Persian, Turk, Balkan, Arab, Jewish and European influences.

Southern Spain is the tip of Europe. There Romani culture evolved into Flamenco before coming to the New World in colonial times.

Romani News

The NY Gypsy All-Stars play Roma music at Drom in the East Village on Fri, Oct 8 at 8:30pm (7:30pm doors). $15.

Romani NYC

Drom, in the East Village, hosts the New York Gypsy Festival. The New York Gypsy All-Stars are a great band.

Romani Archive

The People

Romani were originally traveling court musicians in northern India and still have a community there. There are Romani in Romania, but generally Romani and Romanian are two different people.

In the Middle Ages, some traveled from India to the end of the European world in Andalusía, Spain. Along the way Romani culture absorbed Persian, Arab, Jewish, Turkish, Balkan, European and African traditions. All this is in flamenco.

Columbus and Spaniards pilfered the Americas from Cádiz, Andalusía’s Atlantic port. They brought flamenco and Romani people to the Americas.

In Cuba, the other side of the Spanish galleon route, flamenco guitar mixed with African drum into what we now know as Latin music. So Latin music has Romani roots from India. How about that?

Asian NYC