Whether through division or amalgamation, the formation of a separate ethnic identity is referred to as ethnogenesis.Īlthough both organic and performative criteria characterise ethnic groups, debate in the past had dichotomised between primordialism and constructivism.
Conversely, formerly separate ethnicities can merge to form a pan-ethnicity and may eventually merge into one single ethnicity. Ethnic groups may be subdivided into subgroups or tribes, which over time may become separate ethnic groups themselves due to endogamy or physical isolation from the parent group. Ethnic groups often continue to speak related languages.īy way of language shift, acculturation, adoption and religious conversion, individuals or groups may over time shift from one ethnic group to another.
Ethnic groups may share a narrow or broad spectrum of genetic ancestry, depending on group identification, with many groups having mixed genetic ancestry. Ethnic membership tends to be defined by a shared cultural heritage, ancestry, origin myth, history, homeland, language, or dialect, symbolic systems such as religion, mythology and ritual, cuisine, dressing style, art, or physical appearance. Ethnicity is sometimes used interchangeably with the term nation, particularly in cases of ethnic nationalism, and is separate from the related concept of races.Įthnicity may be construed as an inherited or as a societally imposed construct. Those attributes can include common sets of traditions, ancestry, language, history, society, culture, nation, religion, or social treatment within their residing area.
For the academic journal, see Ethnicities (journal).Īn ethnic group or an ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups.
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