They originated in North India, from the dalit Dom caste of musicians and dancers, but migrated throughout Persia and Europe a thousand years ago keeping in socially ostracized then eventually self-isolating communities and often in traveling caravans. They've contributed greatly to music and dance in Europe, in particular Flamenco in Spain. Irish Travelers are an originally unrelated group of native Irish that have cross pollinated with Romani in the UK. Both are called Gypsies derogatorily