Ethnicity an Introduction

Using the word ‘ethnic’ is not just a fad in anthropology; it represents a shift in both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Awareness of ethnic groups can be seen among old researches, but the word itself came into focus after the 1970s. This might be because of two major reasons. First, the unit problem in identifying groups has always been an issue. Whether the labeling of a group should be done ‘objectively’ by outsiders according to certain criteria, or whether it should be done ‘subjectively’ by the group members themselves according to their loyalty or sense of unity, is difficult to resolve. With ‘ethnicity’ both these perspectives are focused. The second problem is that of the context in which a group is labeled. Previously the word ‘tribe’ was used implying a barbaric group outside the Western domain. Since this imperial context has now changed, it is more appropriate to use the word ‘ethnic’ group.

The term ‘ethnicity’ has many definitions, based on geographical stratification as in sociology, and on cultural aspects as in anthropology. A summary of all the different descriptions in anthropology lead us to describe ethnicity as a set of cultural identifiers, which are passed on through generations, that determine the inclusiveness or exclusiveness of an individual in a certain group. Ethnicity is not stable and ethnic boundaries are not clear cut in many cases. Thus ethnicity may be continuously changing or multiple ethnicities may exist due to overlapping of borders.    

‘Situational ethnicity’ is also a term used, and it implies that the labeling of ethnic groups depends largely on the situation. An individual may be a member of more than one socio-cultural group, or the labeling may be done according to education, religion, geographical location etc. Thus the same individual can be labeled with different ethnicities in different situations.

The concept of ethnicity is a relative one, ethnics groups meaning nothing in the absence of other groups. The interaction between the different ethnicities is also an area of concern for anthropologists. The power relations between different groups may be equal or unequal, and in case the group interacts frequently the groups may be balanced or stratified. In case the groups are remote and have no direct interaction with each other, equal power results in fragmented relations and unequal power in indirect relations. The most researched relations are those which are unbalanced or stratified s they lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Ethnic relations may also be categorized in terms of geographical stratification. When a larger group has power it is called a dominant majority, when a small group has power the term used is a dominant elite. On the other hand when a large group has no power it is called a subjugated mass, and when a small group has no power it is a minority group. This categorization is controversial however, as social stratification and ethnicity might be independent of each other.

Another issue of importance which has been comparatively less researched is how an ethnic identity is actually formed. The traditional view is that when certain people live in close proximity and isolation from others, and share the same religious, political, economic and social interests, they are likely to identify with each other as an ethnic group. However if they do not have much in common, and in fact the boundary with other groups is not as well defined then this identity is not formed or is weak. This identity can be forced when a conflict arises between two or more groups and people of one area who share similar interests unite with each other. The role for effective leaders who can bring together a people under one common identity is important here. Finally, an ethnic identity is formed when people who may not live in a similar area, share the same history, roots, language and customs. They may feel a sense of identity even if they no longer live in close proximity.

The modern term for multiethnic societies is a ‘plural society’. However, if we acknowledge that even in the past there were no such things as ‘tribes’ which existed in total isolation, than this term is redundant. It simple describes the reality, which is that modern society comprises of many ethnicities, in relations with each other.  One drawback of this intermingling of ethnicity has been role confusion. When a person views himself as an individual, the result is corruption, illegal and immoral acts with no sense of accountability such as we face nowadays. When there is a strong ethnic identification people do not view themselves as individuals, rather they consider themselves part of a group. Thus their actions are also determined accordingly. Finally, ethnic groups today are starting to be acknowledged even by the legal system, as group rights are as important as individual rights.