Romani music

[7] Historically nomadic, though now largely settled, the Romani people have long acted as entertainers and tradesmen.

The wide distances travelled have introduced a multitude of influences of: Arabic, Byzantine, French, Germanic, Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Persian, Romanian, Slavic, Spanish, Turkish and Jewish musical forms.

[9] The quintessentially Spanish flamenco is to a very large extent the music (and dance, or indeed the culture) of the Romani people of Andalusia.

This particular folk music is mainly vocal and consists of slow plaintive songs and fast melodies which may be accompanied by dancing.

The fast melodies are accompanied with tongue-clacking, hand-clapping, mouth-basses, clicking of wooden spoons and other techniques.

[13] The development of Romani music dates back to the playing of instruments such as lutes in the late 1400s in Hungary and Italy.

Eventually, as organized religion gained traction, performance became less emphasized and sometimes prohibited for non-Roma populations, so Roma filled all professional entertainment spots.

Because there is no one nation state for Roma, they were often forced to create their own living spaces within the countries they settled.

[17] The Rajkó Orchestra and Folk Ensemble is known for preserving Hungarian Roma music, dance and costume culture since 1952.

During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 in Hungary, Romani bands played their music for soldiers before and after the battle to encourage and entertain them.

[22] It is thought of as having been made by Turkish Romani which brought Oriental influences mixed with Roma music and dance.

And is widely recognised as Romani music considering it was made by Roma as a response to oppression.

This type of fasıl music (a style, not to be confused with the fasıl form of classical Turkish music) coupled with food and alcoholic beverages is often associated with the underclass of Turkish society, though it also can be found in more "respectable" establishments in modern times.

Wandering musicians in the wine gardens of Transylvania (Pennell, 1893)