Ethnicity

An ethnicity or ethnic group is a group of humans who identify with each other because they share things like language, culture, ancestry, traditions, society, religion, history, or how others treat them. These shared features help make a group special and different from others. Over many generations, groups can keep their identity strong through traditions and marriage within the group.

People and groups can change their ethnic identity over time. This can happen through assimilation, acculturation, amalgamation, learning new languages, intermarriage, adoption, or even changing religion. Sometimes smaller groups, called tribes, can grow and become their own ethnic group. Other times, different groups can come together to form a larger group.

There are different ways to think about why ethnic groups exist. Some older ideas from the early 1900s thought ethnic groups were always the same since ancient times. But newer ideas from after the 1960s see ethnic groups as something people create together, shaped by the rules of society.

Terminology

The word ethnic comes from an old Greek word, ethnos, which means "nation" or "people." Over time, its meaning changed. In the past, it was used to describe people who were not Christian. Today, it helps us talk about groups of people who share things like language, culture, or history.

People can feel they belong to an ethnic group for different reasons. Maybe they speak the same language, like French Canadians. Or maybe they share a sense of national identity, like Austrians. Some groups are defined by how they look, like African Americans, while others might share a religion, like Mormons or Sikhs. Often, several of these reasons together make up an ethnic group. For example, someone might feel Armenian because of their language, heritage, or religion.

Definitions and conceptual history

Ethnography, the study of cultures, started in ancient times. Early writers like Herodotus helped lay the groundwork. The ancient Greeks had their own sense of identity, calling themselves Hellenes. They often saw themselves as better than others, sometimes treating non-Greeks as inferior.

Ethnicity is about how groups see themselves and share things like language, culture, and history. Social scientists like Fredrik Barth and Eric Wolf think ethnicity comes from how groups interact, not from being born that way.

There are different ways to think about ethnicity. Some believe it's always been a part of human history, while others see it as something that changes over time. Still, others think ethnicity is made up through social interactions and isn't a natural part of human groups.

Ethnic groups can be found all over the world, like in big cities such as New York City or in countries with many different cultures. These groups often share a common past, even if some traditions are newer than people think. Ethnicity helps people feel connected to a larger group.

Ethnicity and nationality

Further information: Nation state and minority group

Sometimes, people connect their ethnicity with their country or nationality, especially when they move to new places or when countries expand their borders. As countries formed and changed over time, the idea of a nation grew. In the past, many countries claimed to represent whole nations, but often left some people out.

When people live in a country that isn't their own, or when one country takes over another, they may form new ethnic groups. Some countries have many different ethnic groups because their borders don’t match old tribal areas, or because many people from different places have moved there. For example, this happened in Africa after colonial rule ended, and in places like Belgium and the United Kingdom. Other countries, like the Netherlands, started with one main group but now have many different groups living together.

Women also help keep ethnic and national traditions alive by teaching and supporting cultural practices within families. They often have important roles in how people think about their nation or ethnicity.

Ethnicity and race

Before sociologist Max Weber introduced the idea that ethnicity is a social construct, people often mixed up the ideas of race and ethnicity. Around 1900, many believed that cultural differences between groups came from inherited traits.

In 1950, a group of famous scholars signed a statement saying it’s better to talk about “ethnic groups” instead of “races” because cultural traits aren’t linked to genetic ones. In the United States, government rules define race based on social and cultural traits, not just biology.

Ethno-national conflict

Further information: Ethnic conflict

Sometimes, groups of people who share things like language or culture face unfair treatment from governments or others. In the 20th century, some thinkers believed that governments should treat everyone equally, without focusing on cultural backgrounds. Others thought it was important for governments to recognize and support the unique needs of different cultural groups.

The 19th century brought ideas linking cultural identity to strong feelings of national pride. This sometimes led to conflicts, especially in areas where many different cultural groups lived together. These tensions often appeared as struggles within countries rather than between them.

Ethnic groups by continent

Africa

Main article: List of ethnic groups of Africa

Africa is the most diverse continent in terms of ethnic groups and languages. There are over 3,000 different ethnic groups and more than 2,000 languages spoken across its 54 countries. Many of these groups have their own unique cultures and traditions, often tied to specific languages such as Niger-Congo, Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, and Khoisan.

Asia

Main articles: Ethnic groups in Asia, East Asian people, South Asian ethnic groups, Ethnic groups of Southeast Asia, and Ethnic groups in the Middle East

Asia is home to many ethnic groups, each adapting to different climates and environments — from the Arctic to tropical zones, and from mountains to deserts. These groups have developed diverse ways of living, whether through hunting and gathering, moving with seasons, farming, or living in cities. Countries like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore are mostly urban today. Large countries such as India and Indonesia have thousands of ethnic groups. In Russia, there are over 185 recognized ethnic groups besides the majority ethnic Russians, with the Tatars being the largest minority.

Europe

Main article: Ethnic groups in Europe

Europe has many ethnic groups. Some are majorities in their countries, while others are minorities living within those nations. For example, the Roma people, also known as Gypsies, originated from India and have their own language called Romani. In the Serbian province of Vojvodina, there are about 26 different ethnic groups, and six languages are officially used.

North America

Main articles: Ethnic origins of people in Canada, Ethnic groups in Central America, Demographics of Greenland, Demographics of Mexico, Ethnic groups in the United States, Indigenous peoples of the Americas § North America, Native Americans in the United States, Indigenous peoples in Canada, Indigenous peoples of Mexico, and Caribbean people

The original inhabitants of North America are Native Americans. In the United States, the largest groups include White Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans (especially Mexican Americans), and Asian Americans. In Mexico, most people have mixed ancestry from Spanish and Native Americans. During the 16th to 19th centuries, enslaved Africans were brought to North America, many ending up in the Caribbean. Today, the Caribbean is home to various groups including indigenous peoples, Africans, Indians, Europeans, and others. In the United States, many people identify with more than one racial background.

In Canada, European Canadians make up the largest group, but the Indigenous population is growing faster. Most new immigrants to Canada come from Asia.

South America

Main article: Ethnic groups in South America

South American populations often have mixed backgrounds, including indigenous, European, African, and sometimes Asian ancestry.

Oceania

Main articles: Indigenous peoples of Oceania and Europeans in Oceania

Most places in Oceania are home to Indigenous populations. However, countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island have majority European populations. Indigenous groups in Oceania include Australian Aboriginals, Austronesians, and Papuans. Some Pacific islands near Latin America were uninhabited when Europeans arrived, and today their residents mostly come from Latin American countries or are of mixed ancestry. The Rapa Nui people on Easter Island are Indigenous Polynesians.

Australia

Main articles: Indigenous Australians and Anglo-Celtic Australians

The first people in Australia were Aboriginal peoples, who have lived there for over 50,000 years. Torres Strait Islander peoples are another distinct Indigenous group. Europeans, mainly from England, arrived in 1770. Today, many people in Australia were born in other countries such as England, New Zealand, China, and India. The number of people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander has also grown.