A The Roma People Many Colombian people do not recognize them as citizens of the country. Roma people are 'invisible' Colombians, a minority group that live in poverty. They need health care, better nutrition and education. There are about 5,000 Roma people in Colombia. Roma people are nomads - they travel from one place to another. They are good artists. In their culture singing, dancing and playing musical instruments are very important. The women sometimes sell shoes or kitchen utensils. They are also fortune-tellers. 1. Origin and location in Colombia Roma, or Rom, people arrived in Colombia in the 16th century from European countries such as Spain and Portugal. Rom originally meant 'men of low class who live on singing and dancing. They live in Bolívar, Antioquia, Tolima and Nariño. Girls and boys get married when they are teenagers. Roma people don't value individuality because they belong to a clan. They only learn to read and write. They are bilingual: they speak their native language, Romany, and Spanish. ​