Hristo Kyuchukov and Ian Hancock’s collaboration presents an intriguing look at the history of the Romani people as well as their lives in contemporary times. Often known as Gypsies, the Romani’s origins have been traced to northern India, and many of their traditional customs still reflect the Indian practices and Hindu beliefs. But across centuries, Romani emigrated throughout Asia and Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australia. Today the Romani people are on every continent: they are people of many nationalities who practice a range of religions. While some still live in the traditional Romani way, traveling from place to place to make a living, most no longer do. But many, travelers or not, continue to work to keep their language and culture alive. The narrative is divided into brief essays on a range of subjects relating to the Romani, and accompanied by an abundance of photographs featuring both contemporary and historical subjects. (Ages 8–12)

Kyuchukov is a leading figure in the advancement of human rights for Romani children. He works at the Institute for Educational Policy in Budapest, Hungary. He has also taught in Bulgaria. Ian Hancock is director of the Romani Archives and Documentation Center at the University of Texas at Austin. He was Ambassador for the Romani people to the United Nations, and in 1998 was ap pointed by President Clinton as the sole Romani member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council.

A thousand years ago, a group of people who later become the Romani were driven out of northern India by an invading army. This group then took to traveling the world, adopting words, cultural customs, and religious beliefs from the people they encountered throughout their journeys. Little by little, the Romani integrated these new beliefs with their old ways, eventually creating the unique Romani culture known today. Now Hristo Kyuchukov and Ian Hancock give readers the insider's perspective to this fascinating group of people. The Romani authors explain why Gypsy is a scornful name and why they prefer to be called Romanies, as they call themselves. They enlighten readers to Romani traditions, such as those surrounding weddings, the arrival of a baby, and the death of a family member. Readers learn how the Romani work to keep their language and traditions alive while living in cities and towns just like the rest of us. With precision and grace, this book gives readers a glimpse into the lives lived by the Romani in the past and present, helping us to understand and appreciate this distinctive culture.