etnoloji

Etnoloji, or ethnology, is the study of the origins, development, and functioning of human cultures. It emphasizes cross-cultural comparison and the analysis of cultural variation and similarity, often with a historical or evolutionary perspective. It is typically associated with anthropology, though it overlaps with sociology and cultural studies.

Core topics include social organization, kinship and family, religious beliefs, language and communication, ritual and art, economic practices and technology, and notions of identity and migration. Ethnologists employ fieldwork and qualitative methods such as participant observation and interviews, combined with comparative analysis across societies and historical sources to identify patterns and processes.

History and relationships: The term ethnology emerged in the 19th century as part of the development of anthropology. It is often distinguished from ethnography; ethnography tends to describe a single culture in depth, while ethnology compares cultures to test theories about human social life. In practice, researchers frequently integrate both approaches.

In Turkish usage, etnoloji is the term for ethnology and is taught as a distinct social science discipline in universities and research institutes. The field has evolved across time with ongoing debates about reflexivity, ethics, and the legacy of colonial research, moving toward collaborative, community-oriented research practices.

Contemporary directions include diaspora and transnational studies, globalization and cultural change, indigenous knowledge and rights, and the study of heritage and material culture. Ethnology continues to address broad questions about how cultures adapt, interact, and transform in a global context.