The Vlachs are a group of Romance-speaking peoples living in scattered communities throughout the Balkans, most notably in Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania. Historically, the Vlach population was much more spread out, extending into Hungary, Croatia, and southern Poland in the north and into Turkey, Ukraine, Bessarabia, and southern Russia (as far east as the North Caucasus) in the east and southeast. Some researchers use the terms "Vlach" and "Aromanian" interchangeably, while others make a distinction, with "Vlach" being a general term for all Romance-speaking Balkan peoples and "Aromanian" a name for the Aromanian-speaking subgroup.
The origins of the Aromanians are not entirely clear. Some believe that they are descended from the Romanized Illyrians or Thracians, while others believe that they are descended from the Romanized Dacians. It is also possible that the Aromanians are a mixture of both Illyrian/Thracian and Dacian peoples.
They mostly identify themselves as "Rumâni", which means "Romanians" in their language. Their culture and language are heavily influenced by Greek culture and language, due to their long coexistence with Greeks.
Although Aromanians are mainly Orthodox Christian, there is a significant Catholic minority. Historically, they were often treated as a lower caste by the Greeks, and they were denied access to education and other opportunities. However, their condition has improved in recent years, and they are now more integrated into society.
The Aromanians are a proud people with a rich culture and history. They are a reminder of the complex and diverse nature of the Balkans.