The best-known Gypsy groups in the United States belong to the Rom tribes. The Rom are the largest group of Gypsies and live in nearly every part of the world. A Rom family consists of a husband and wife, their unmarried children, their married sons, and the sons' wives and children. In many cases, a group of related families forms a band that lives together and cooperates in economic matters. The highest authority is the kris, a system of rules of conduct based on Rom religious and philosophical beliefs.
Most Gypsies speak the language of the people among whom they live.
However, many also speak their own native language, often called Romany, which belongs to the Indo-Iranian group of languages. Romany varies from place to place. Gypsies have long been noted as musicians and dancers. They have borrowed from and added to the music and dance of other peoples. Large numbers of Gypsies follow traditional Gypsy occupations, such as fortunetelling, metalworking, horse trading, and animal doctoring.