In today's world, Nomadic peoples of Europe has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide spectrum of people. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance or its influence on popular culture, Nomadic peoples of Europe continues to capture the attention of millions of individuals around the world. With a history dating back centuries, Nomadic peoples of Europe has evolved and adapted to the changes and advancements of modern society. In this article, we will explore in depth everything related to Nomadic peoples of Europe, from its origins to its current impact on different aspects of everyday life.
Nomadism has rarely been practiced in Europe in the modern period, being restricted to the margins of the continent, notably Arctic peoples such as the (traditionally) semi-nomadic Saami people in the north of Scandinavia,[1] or the Nenets people in Russia's Nenets Autonomous Okrug.[2] In ancient and early medieval times, Eurasian nomads dominated the eastern steppe areas of Europe, such as the Scythians, Huns, Avars, Pechenegs, Cumans or Kalmyk people in Russia's Kalmykia.[3]
Historically, at least until the Early Middle Ages, nomadic groups were much more widespread, especially in the Pontic steppe of Eastern Europe (part of Europe in the contemporary geographical definition, but as part of the Eurasian Steppe historically considered part of Asian Scythia).[4] The last nomadic populations of this region (such as the Kalmyk people, Nogais, Kazakhs and Bashkirs) became mostly sedentary in the Early Modern period under the Russian Empire. Seasonal migration over short distance is known as transhumance (as e.g. in the Alps or Vlachs in the Balkans) and is not normally considered "nomadism".[citation needed]
Sometimes also described as "nomadic" (in the figurative or extended sense) is the itinerant lifestyle of various groups subsisting on craft, trade or seasonal labour rather than on livestock.[5] Romani people and Irish Travellers are the best known of these.[6] See itinerant groups in Europe for those.