The governments of Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, England and Scotland were the first countries to deport Gypsies to their colonies as slaves to get rid of this unwanted population. The first gypsies arrived in America with Columbus on his third trip, in 1498, however it was during the last decade of the 19th century and until the first half of the 20th century that there was a constant migration to America of groups of the Gypsy or Rom people from Europe. in search of new horizons, dispersing throughout all the countries of this continent. Although there is no official census, it is estimated that around four million gypsies live in America, mainly in Brazil and the United States, with important communities in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Uruguay and Chile.

In Mexico live various races of gypsies and there is a great diversity among the family groups that came to this country at different times, now they are Mexican and although their number is still a mystery, their population is estimated at about 150,000. One can find all the Rom groups that live in Europe and there is probably one of the broadest Rom populations, since Spanish Kalé, Boyash, Machwaya, Lovaria and Calderash inhabit among others.

Between 1880 and 1914 the group of the Ludar, or Romanian gypsies, arrived in Mexico, they arrived in South America and Eastern Europe, most of the Ludar came from the Northwest of Bosnia. Upon their arrival they specialized as trainers of animals, bears and monkeys, who danced through the streets with a tambourine, they were also comedians. The ludar arrived in Mexico with the intention of emigrating later to the United States, but they remained in Mexico, a country where they found freedom, an indissoluble part of their existence.The history of the ludar gypsies in Mexico has been forged in a permanent path that It distinguishes it from the other gypsy peoples that live here, preserving its nomadic tradition. During their itinerary they have learned the rich and varied traditions and customs of Mexico but without renouncing the peculiar way of life that characterizes them, their values, their ancestral trades, their joy for life, for freedom, for the spectacle, for the path... and with a strong sense of belonging to his people.

Now the show is presented as a circus tent with clowns, comedians, dancers, magicians, escapists, fakirs... and as the main attraction, collective hypnotism.

In Mexico, gypsy children do not attend schools, either because of their nomadic status or because of widespread discrimination that has forced many to blend in with the towns where they live in order to be able to trade and survive.

Authors

Ruth Campos Cabello.

Antonio García Romero.