Ethnic Group

What is an Ethnic Group?• A group of people who share a common culture.• Ethnic groups can have many things in common:• Shared history• Common ancestry• Language• Religion• Traditions

Culture

What is Culture?

• The customs, traditions, beliefs and values that a group of people share.

Elements of Culture

•Religion•Language•Customs & Traditions•Government•Economy

Religion

Religion

• A set of beliefs that is held by a group of people.

Monotheistic Religions

• A belief in one god. • Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions.

Polytheistic Religions

• The belief in more than one god.

Language

Language

• System of communication• People who speak the same language often share the same culture

Customs & Traditions

Customs & Traditions

• Custom: A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.• Traditions: The transmission of

customs or beliefs from generation to generation

Customs & Traditions

Example of Customs & Traditions

• It is the custom for the bride to wear a white dress on her wedding day.• In some countries it is

polite/respectful to bow to older people.• In some countries it is OK to burp

while eating your food.• In some countries you take your

shoes off before entering the house• In some places they sit on the floor

and eat

• Blowing out candles at birthday celebrations• Not wearing white to a wedding, unless you are

the bride• Celebrating the bounty of the harvest at a

festival• Babies wearing white at christenings• Rituals for new members of a fraternity or

sorority• Taking a gift when invited to someone’s house for

dinner• Throwing a baby shower for a mother-to-be• Having bachelor or bachelorette parties before a

wedding• Having a bridal shower for a new bride• Tip a waiter or waitress for good service• Greetings like a nod, bow, smile, handshake or

verbal greeting• Removing shoes before entering a home

Example of Customs & Traditions

Government

Customs & Traditions

• Provide for the peoples common needs, keep order within society with rules and laws, and protect their society from outside threats.

Government

Autocracy OligarchyDemocrac

y

1 Person Makes ALL

of the decisions.

A Small Group

Makes ALL of the

decisions.

The People make

Decisions by Voting!

Economy

Customs & Traditions

• The system a country uses when they produce, sell or buy goods and services.

Economy

Traditional

• People produce most of what they need to survive.

• Hunting, gathering, farming, herding cattle, make own clothes/tools.

Bartering: Trading without using money

Cultural Diversity

Customs & Traditions

• Differences among people because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds, language, dress and traditions.

Cultural Diversity