etnie

Etanie (plural form etnie; singular etnia) is a term used in anthropology and sociology to denote an ethnic group—a community of people who identify with a shared heritage and perceive themselves as distinct from other groups. Core elements often cited in defining an etnia include language, religion or belief systems, customs, symbols, territory or homeland, and a sense of common origin or ancestry. The concept emphasizes cultural markers and a collective identity rather than legal status.

In scholarly usage, ethnicity is treated as a social construct that can be fluid and context-dependent. Ethnie boundaries are maintained through intergenerational transmission of culture, as well as practices, rituals, naming, and narratives of origin. Individuals may identify with multiple etnie or change affiliations over time, reflecting migration, intermarriage, and changing social circumstances.

Etnie are not the same as nationality or citizenship, which denote formal membership in a state and associated rights. Nevertheless, ethnicity can influence social life, politics, resource distribution, and group mobilization. Ethnic identities can be invoked for political purposes, during negotiations, or in situations of conflict, but they can also promote cohesion and cultural resilience within communities.

Data on etnie are collected in censuses and surveys based on self-identification, with recognition that boundaries between etnie are often contested and context-specific. Ethnographic and historical research explores how etnie form (ethnogenesis), reproduce themselves, and interact with broader social and state structures.