Ethnicity
An ethnic group —from classical Greek: έθνος ethnos, 'people' or 'nation'— is a group of people who identify with the same linguistic, cultural community, etc.
According to Anthony D. Smith, "ethnicities can be defined as human populations that share ancestry myths, histories, cultures, and that are associated with a specific territory and have a feeling of solidarity."
Ethnicity tends to be defined by shared cultural heritage, ancestry, origin myth, history, homeland, language or dialect, symbol systems such as religion, mythology and ritual, cuisine, style of dress, art, or physical appearance. Ethnic groups may share a narrow or broad spectrum of genetic ancestry, depending on group identification, with many groups having mixed genetic ancestry.
The concept of ethnicity is currently discussed as defining human societies, since it does not explain empirical reality well, in the same way that happens with the concept of race applied to human beings.
Definition
Historically, the word "ethnicity" comes from the Greek adjective ethnikos. The adjective is derived from the noun ethnos, which means 'foreign people or nation'.
People who consider themselves members of an ethnic group feel linked to each other by a common genetic origin and therefore feel part of an extended family community that imposes forms of loyalty and solidarity typical of family ties.
Linguistics
Language is usually used as the first classified factor of groups, however, this tool has not been exempt from political manipulation or error. It should be noted that there is a large number of multi-ethnic languages at the same time that certain ethnic groups are multilingual.
Culture
The cultural delimitation of an ethnic group with respect to the cultural groups of its borders becomes a process of great difficulty for the ethnologist (anthropologist), especially in human groups highly communicated with neighboring groups. Elie Kedourie is perhaps the author who has gone deeper into the analysis of the differences between multiethnicity and multiculturalism.
It is generally appreciated that ethnic groups share a belief in a common origin and have continuity over time, that is, a common history or tradition and project a future as a people. This is achieved through the generational transmission of a common language, some institutions, some values and some uses and customs that distinguish them from other ethnic groups.
Although ethnic and political factors are mixed in certain cultures, it is not essential for an ethnic group to have its own government institutions to be considered as such. Therefore, sovereignty does not define ethnicity, although the need for a certain common social projection is admitted.
Genetics
Ethnic groups generally refer to founding myths that reveal a notion of more or less remote kinship between their members. Current genetics can confirm or deny the existence of that genetic relationship.
Classification
Major groups of peoples include:
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+ = extinct
* = endangered
By language
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