Editing Ethnic group

{{Short description|A group of people sharing a common cultural, linguistic, or ancestral heritage}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}

'''Ethnic group''' refers to a category of people who identify with each other based on shared attributes such as cultural traditions, language, religion, ancestry, or historical experiences. Ethnic groups play a significant role in the identity and diversity of human societies.

== Definition ==
Ethnic groups are often characterized by shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set them apart from other groups. These may include a common [[language]], religious beliefs, [[customs]], [[history]], and [[ancestry]]. The concept of ethnicity is distinct from that of [[race (human categorization)|race]], which is based on physical characteristics, and from [[nationality]], which relates to citizenship in a nation-state.<ref name="OxfordEthnicity">{{cite book |title=Oxford English Dictionary |chapter=Ethnicity |year=2023 |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>

== Characteristics ==
An ethnic group is typically defined by the following features:
* '''Common ancestry''': Members of an ethnic group often claim descent from a common ancestor or a shared heritage.
* '''Cultural identity''': Shared practices, traditions, and beliefs create a sense of belonging.
* '''Language''': Many ethnic groups have their own distinct language or dialect, such as the [[Basque people]] with the [[Basque language]].
* '''Geographical location''': Ethnic groups often originate from or are concentrated in a specific region, such as the [[Maasai people]] in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]].

== Examples of Ethnic Groups ==
There are thousands of ethnic groups worldwide, reflecting the diversity of human cultures. Examples include:
*[[Jat people|Jat]] – An agricultural ethnic group native to [[India]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Afghanistan]].
* [[Han Chinese]] – The world's largest ethnic group, primarily residing in [[China]].
* [[Zulu people|Zulu]] – A prominent ethnic group in [[South Africa]].
* [[Kurds]] – An ethnic group in the [[Middle East]] with a significant presence in [[Turkey]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], and [[Syria]].
* [[Sámi people]] – An indigenous group inhabiting the northern parts of [[Norway]], [[Sweden]], [[Finland]], and [[Russia]].

== Ethnic Identity ==
Ethnic identity is both an individual and collective phenomenon. It is influenced by factors such as family, social environment, and historical context. In modern societies, [[diaspora]] communities often maintain their ethnic identities even while living far from their ancestral homelands.

== Challenges and Issues ==
Ethnic groups often face challenges, including:
* '''Discrimination and prejudice''': Ethnic minorities may experience social exclusion or unequal treatment in various countries.
* '''Conflict''': Ethnic tensions can escalate into [[ethnic conflict|conflicts]] or violence, as seen in the [[Rwandan genocide]].
* '''Assimilation''': Ethnic groups may struggle to preserve their culture and identity amidst pressures to assimilate into dominant cultures.

== See Also ==
* [[Cultural heritage]]
* [[Multiculturalism]]
* [[Ethnic nationalism]]
* [[Indigenous peoples]]
* [[Social group]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External Links ==
* [https://www.unesco.org UNESCO on Cultural Diversity]
* [https://www.ethnologue.com Ethnologue: Languages of the World]