Romani Life in Europe Before World War II (47 Photos)

Step back in time through these rare archival photographs offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of European Roma prior to World War II. These frames capture their traditions, culture, and distinctive way of living. Yet history casts a grim shadow over these scenes: the war claimed the lives of an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Roma across Central and Eastern Europe.





The Roma are among Europe’s largest ethnic minorities, tracing their ancestral roots back to the Indian subcontinent. Romani communities live throughout Europe, as well as in North Africa, the Americas, and Australia, with related groups also residing across Western Asia. Estimates place Europe's Romani population between 8 million and 12 million people. Historical research indicates that during World War II, between 150,000 and 200,000 Roma across Central and Eastern Europe were systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, including some 30,000 Soviet citizens.



1. Men gathered for a meal inside a large tent at a Romani encampment. Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1912.





2. A young girl at a Romani camp outside Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.



3. Dutch locals visiting a Romani encampment near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.



4. A makeshift school at a Romani camp near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.



5. Women at a Romani encampment near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.



6. Cooking soup over a campfire at the encampment. Netherlands, 1912.



7. A Romani encampment near Amsterdam marked by severe poverty and squalor. 1915.



8. Children at a camp outside Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 1917.



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10. A mother with her children at a Romani camp. Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1917.



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12. Two boys from the Romani camp. Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1917.



13. Harsh living conditions and poverty at a camp near Arnhem. 1923.



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16. View of a Romani encampment in The Hague. 1925.



17. Encampment in Zaandam, 1926: two Romani girls wearing wooden clogs.



18. A young resident of the Zaandam camp learns to play the violin from his father. Netherlands, 1926.



19. Wagon dwellers questioned by Belgian gendarmes. 1928.



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21. A group of Roma gathered beside their wagon under the watchful eye of Belgian police. 1928.



22. Dutch military police stationed at the border during an operation targeting Roma. Netherlands, 1928.



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24. Dutch military police lying in wait along the border during an anti-Romani raid. Netherlands, 1928.



25. Roma celebrating Christmas in the Soviet Union. 1928.



26. Three Romani children from Westphalia. Germany, 1930.



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28. A Romani family preparing food over an open fire. Westphalia, Germany, 1930.



29. A Romani caravan camp with living wagons, a church standing in the background. Saintes-Maries, France, 1930.



30. The church in Saintes-Maries, where a large crowd has assembled for the town's Romani procession. France, 1930.



31. A Romani pilgrimage procession. Saintes-Maries, France, 1930.



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35. A priest blesses 72 banners at a Romani congress. Sibiu, Hungary, 1934.



36. A group of Romani children sitting inside a tattered tent. Saintes-Maries, France, 1936.



37. A group of Roma in the French town of Saintes-Maries. France, 1936.



38. A young Romani boy in the town square of Saintes-Maries, 1936.



39. Camp dwellers caning chairs near Amsterdam. 1940.



40. Children at the encampment. Netherlands, 1940.



41. A Romani camp near Amsterdam, where hardship and squalor endure. 1940.



42. Roma packing up and moving on to a new site. 1940.



43. In 1940, camp residents were issued ration stamps for food and clothing. Netherlands.



44. Collecting bread rations in exchange for food coupons. Netherlands, 1940.



45. A coal merchant striking a deal with an encampment resident. Netherlands, 1940.



46. Children from the camp. 1941. Location unknown.