Vlachs originate from the Roman people of south-eastern Europe; from a mix of Roman colonists (from various Roman provinces) and indigenous peoples who were Latinised. Historians trace the influx of the Vlachs, and the use of the term Vlach, back to the 3rd Century A.D. Many Vlachs settled into the less-accessible mountainous areas of Greece and other areas in the Balkans because of the barbarian invasions and immigrations of the 5th-7th centuries.
The Vlachi in Greece, who are often isolated mountain folk, speak Greek and Vlachiko (Aromanian – a Romanian dialect). They are all Greek Orthodox Christians. In addition to language, a distinguishing feature of the Vlachs has been their annual migration. Even today, when herding no longer dominates the Vlachi lifestyle, many Vlachs, including expatriates from the US. still tend to journey to the Vlach mountain villages in the Summer. The majority of the Vlach population lives in northern and central Greece: Epirus, Macedonia and Thessaly, particularly along the Pindus mountains. Even today, when herding no longer dominates the Vlachi lifestyle, many Vlachs, including expatriates from the US. still tend to journey to the Vlach mountain villages in the Summer.
