We often encounter stereotypical stories and biased opinions about the Roma people. This is also reflected in historical writings about the Roma people's beliefs and religious views. One example is the notion that the Roma are without religion and simply adopt the faiths of the regions they live in. This widespread belief leads to the incorrect idea that the Romani have no original mythological or religious traditions. There are several reasons behind this, one of which is that the Roma, in order to avoid discrimination, may have hidden their true beliefs under the guise of Christianity or Islam. As a result, their true worldview and religious ideas were often concealed and have been largely lost to history.

Another factor making research difficult is the fact that the Roma people did not have a written language. In the mid-20th century, Romani leader Zanko remarked, "We have no right to possess a written language; this is our curse." The Balkan peoples saw this as a divine curse, stemming from the belief that the nails used to crucify Jesus were made by the Romani.

We also see examples of discrimination against the Roma in religious stories. One such story, widespread in Romania and Hungary, claims that the Roma built their churches from pig fat, which was later eaten by dogs.

The oral traditions of the Roma people vary significantly depending on their time and place of origin. Roma from Eastern Europe, particularly in the Balkans, have generally preserved their traditions better than those in Western and Central Europe. While nomadic Roma maintain oral traditions, settled communities tend to lose touch with them.

It is difficult to determine the exact number and nature of the original myths once shared by the Roma people. However, we can broadly classify their myths into two categories: pre-Christian and Christian-era stories. This creates a natural chronological divide. Pre-Christian traditions show a few connections to Hindu mythology and rare similarities with Aboriginal myths, like the creation of the world. Some traditions, like tree marriage, are found in Hindu beliefs, and the Romani creation story has clear links to the Bhil and Gond peoples of India. This supports the idea that the Roma people originated from northern India, where the Hindu-Rajasthani language was spoken. However, some myths seem unrelated to Hinduism or other traditions.

Much of what we know about Roma beliefs, particularly regarding spirits and demons, comes from Heinrich von Wlislocki, a scholar who spent time with Romani communities in Southeastern Europe (especially Hungary and Romania) during the 19th century. Wlislocki described a rich and colorful belief system involving nature spirits and disease demons, many of which are linked to superstitions. Despite skepticism, his work remains one of the most detailed records of Roma spiritual traditions. Recent studies have confirmed similar beliefs among other Roma groups.

Christian-era stories in Roma traditions often include tales of Jesus’ birth and childhood. One such story, recorded by Dominican priest R.P. Chatard von Zanko in 1955, was passed down by the Kalderash Romani, who migrated from Romania to France. This story contains references to apocryphal Christian traditions, likely influenced by the Orthodox Church. Other Christian myths, like the Pharaoh Legend, are found in several Roma groups and offer insights into their beliefs about their origins.

In summary, the Roma people's spiritual beliefs and traditions, though often concealed or misunderstood, reveal a rich cultural history. Despite challenges like discrimination and the lack of a written language, their oral traditions—rooted in both pre-Christian and Christian influences—continue to offer valuable insights into their worldview and identity.