por What is ethnic diversity?
The Ethnic diversity it is the coexistence of the diverse human groups that exist around the world and that differ in skin color, language or customs. There are many peoples or ethnic groups throughout the world that have their own traditions, customs, languages, etc.
We must distinguish the main terms within cultural or ethnic diversity. Diversity is the term that refers to the plurality of elements of a certain field. Culture is the set of characteristics that allow the distinction of a society in relation to material, spiritual, emotional and intellectual aspects.
Finally, ethnic groups are human communities that have a common point of cultural affinity and make its members feel integrated.
Ethnic and cultural variety is the variety of different cultures within a group of people or region. The plurality of ethnic groups represents a cultural value of the country. For example, in the area of South America, there are a large number of ethnic groups that come from the indigenous, so many languages and customs coexist together.
Characteristics of ethnic diversity
– In the same geographical space several peoples coexist, with their customs, language, religion, etc.
– There may be different areas in that region, like Chinatown in New York, but there is a certain integration with the native culture.
– In societies with ethnic diversity there are usually more freedoms.
– Each culture or town maintains its customs to a certain extent, but also adopts some of the country or city that has received it.
– There is an exchange of cultural goods, and both cultures, or the various ones that coexist in the place, influence each other.
What traits distinguish ethnic groups?
The main features that distinguish ethnic groups are skin color, language, and religion, but we can also include social structure, diet, music, art, etc., as distinguishing features.
Taken together, any trait attributable to human culture can be a distinctive trait of different ethnic groups or peoples.
We can define the concept of interculturality as the interaction of two or more cultures in a synergistic way. With this concept, we consider ourselves in a situation in which none of the existing cultures is located hierarchically above another. This favors the integration of cultures and forms part of the human heritage.
There are government agencies in charge of protecting cultural diversity, the most important of which is UNESCO. This has a tendency towards cultural uniformity, which is why in 2001 a treaty on the protection of Cultural Diversity was signed.
Cultural diversity and ethnicities
Cultural diversity is considered as the force of sustainable development for an intellectual and moral complement, which is not based only on economic growth.
Culture is an essential part of society, and the recognition of different cultures and the value attributed to them helps to promote the interculturality of society.
The cultural identity of each of the existing ethnic groups in the world is the affirmation and connection with reality. Identity is part of culture and gives its members meaning and form.
For many groups, cultural identity is reaffirmed as an opposition to the globalization and homogenization that society is suffering on a world scale.
However, it is a fact that in many parts of the planet, the knot of cultures that coexist causes identity conflicts and misunderstandings.
When there are several cultures in a space, we can talk about multiculturalism. This implies the coexistence of at least three cultures in one place. And within this term, we can consider the person of another ethnic group as different, but not for that reason inferior.
Throughout history we have seen how many societies have forced other cultures to disappear, either through direct ethnocide or in less violent ways.
The existence of an intercultural society leads to consider the coexistence between individuals of a society, recognizing the other as different without the need to separate it, but seeking cooperation, understanding and respect from all cultures.
Examples of ethnic diversity in the world
– Caribbean and Mexico: In areas like the Caribbean, most of the population has European or African blood. Mexico, on the other hand, has a majority of indigenous and European blood. This ethnic diversity is reflected in the phenotypic characteristics of the population.
– Argentina: the European ancestry of the population is evident. 85% of the population is of European origin, mainly Spanish and Italian, and the other 15% comes from indigenous blood.
– Colombia: Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest ethnic diversity in the world. Thanks to its geographical location, it is at the gates of interculturality.
There are up to 84 indigenous ethnic groups and 3 large differentiated groups of the population. The indigenous ethnic groups are located and predominate above all in the rural area, with a higher rate in Guajira, Putumayo and Amazonas.
The descendant population of African peoples makes up just over 10% of the total national population. We also find people of gypsy origin, who reach up to a population of 5,000 people.
– Ecuador: in Ecuador about 80% of the population is mestizo. Up to 13 indigenous nationalities are recognized, among which we find the Chachi, the Tsáchila, the Amazonian Quichuas, the Awa, the Epera…
Only in the Ecuadorian Amazon region there are nine recognized native languages, reaching up to 13 throughout the country. The Zápara language has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
– Peru: In Peru there are up to 76 ethnic groups that coexist in its territory, where we find mixtures of Andean cultures throughout the Andes region, which continue to maintain their customs and culture over the years.
Likewise, the Japanese have an important presence in the country, which is manifested above all in gastronomy.
– New York, USA: More than 200 languages are spoken in New York, thanks to the number of people from all over the world who live there. Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans, Afro-descendants, Chicanos, Muslims, Hispanics from all over, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese coexist in this enormous city.
– London England: London is one of the most ethnically and racially diverse cities in the world. In its streets more than 300 languages are heard, and there are ethnic groups that have more than 10,000 individuals. A sample: the mayor of London is British of Muslim origin, and the current prime minister, British, is of Indian origin.
References
PAREKH, Bhikhu. Rethinking multiculturalism: Cultural diversity and political theory. Ethnicities.
FEARON, J. (2003). Ethnic and cultural diversity by country. Journal of Economic Growth.