Ethnicisation

Ethnicisation refers to the process by which a group of people comes to be defined and treated as a distinct ethnic category. This can occur through a variety of mechanisms, including social, political, and economic factors. Often, ethnicisation is driven by external perceptions, where dominant groups assign ethnic labels to subordinate groups, emphasizing perceived cultural, linguistic, or religious differences.

This process can lead to the formation of group identities, as individuals who are labelled as belonging to a particular ethnicity may internalize this identity and develop a sense of shared culture and solidarity. However, ethnicisation is not always a natural or consensual process. It can be imposed, creating boundaries and hierarchies that can contribute to social stratification, discrimination, and conflict.

The concept is distinct from ethnicity itself, which refers to the shared cultural heritage, ancestry, or national origin that characterizes a group. Ethnicisation highlights the dynamic and often constructed nature of ethnic categories, emphasizing that these are not fixed but are socially produced and can change over time. It is a key concept in understanding how social divisions are created and maintained, and how groups are perceived and categorized within societies.