The first migrations of the Roma people from India are thought to have taken place around the 6th century. The second migration, also referred to as the "Aresayipe", is claimed to have taken place from southwest Asia to Europe in the 14th century. The third wave of migration includes the movements of Roma from Europe to the American continent during the 19th century and early 20th century after the end of Roma slavery in Europe in the years 1856-1864.
First Migration
Initial migration from India to the Byzantine Empire, marking the beginning of the Roma diaspora in Europe.
Second Migration (Aresayipe)
Movement from southwest Asia to Europe, leading to greater dispersal across the continent.
End of Roma Slavery
Gradual abolition of Roma slavery across Europe, particularly in Romanian principalities.
Third Migration
Movement of Roma from Europe to the Americas following emancipation from slavery.
Main Documented Chapters of Roma History
Pre-European Period
First migration from India to the Byzantine Empire and early settlement patterns.
Early European Period
Initial settlement in Europe and emerging patterns of discrimination and marginalization.
State Policies
Government strategies of integration, assimilation, and deportation across European states.
Intensified Discrimination
Second migration wave coinciding with increased persecution and restrictive policies.
Holocaust & Genocide
Persecution, internment, and systematic extermination during World War II.
Civil Rights Struggle
Post-war period marked by continued discrimination and emerging civil rights movements.
Emigration Process
Third migration wave and ongoing process of social and political emancipation.
Roma History in Albania
Albanian Context
Albania represents a unique case in Roma history, characterized by relative tolerance compared to other European contexts, though not without challenges of discrimination and social marginalization.
In Albania, since the Ottoman regime, the Roma have coexisted peacefully with other ethnic groups, although the social and economic gap between them and the rest of the population continued to exist. During World War II, over 500,000 Roma from various countries in Europe were executed in Nazi concentration camps. Despite this, no policies of persecution were implemented in Albania for either the Jewish or the Roma population.
Historical Context: Albania's protection of Jewish and Roma populations during World War II stands in contrast to the persecution experienced elsewhere in Europe, though this protection did not eliminate underlying social and economic disparities.
Meanwhile, some Roma actively participated in the National Liberation War and during the socialist period the treatment of Roma did not deteriorate, on the contrary it resulted in significant improvements in housing, education, health care and social services as for the rest of the population. Although Roma formally enjoyed equal rights, prejudiced and inferiority attitudes towards Roma identity prevailed and have left their mark even in today's Albanian society.