The Ethnic diversity Is the coexistence of the diverse races that exist around the world and that differ in the color of the skin, the language or the customs.
There are many peoples or ethnic groups throughout the mute who 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 given area.
Culture is the set of characteristics that allow the distinction of a society in relation to material, spiritual, emotional and intellectual aspects.
Finally, ethnicities are human communities that share a cultural affinity and make members feel integrated.
The 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 natives so that many languages and customs coexist together.
What traits distinguish ethnicities?
The main features that distinguish ethnicities are skin color, language and religion, but we can also include as a distinguishing feature social structure, diet, music, art...
On the whole, any trait attributable to human culture can be a distinguishing feature of different ethnicities or cultures.
We can define the concept of interculturality as the interaction of two or more cultures in a synergistic way. With this concept, we pose in a situation where none of the existing cultures is located above another hierarchically. This favors the integration of cultures and is part of the human heritage.
There are governmental bodies in charge of protecting cultural diversity, the most important of which is UNESCO. This has a tendency towards cultural uniformity, so in 2001 a treaty was signed on the protection of Cultural Diversity.
Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Groups
Cultural diversity is considered as the strength of sustainable development, for an intellectual and moral complement, and not based solely on economic growth.
Culture is an essential part of society, and the recognition of different cultures and the value attributed to them helps to foster the interculturality of society.
The cultural identity of each of the ethnicities existing in the world is the affirmation and connection with reality. Identity is part of the culture and gives it meaning and form.
For many groups, cultural identity is reaffirmed as opposed to globalization and homogenization that society is suffering on a global scale.
In many parts of the world, the knot of cultures that coexist provokes conflicts and misunderstandings.
At this point, we can talk about multiculturalism. This implies the coexistence of several cultures in one place. And within this term, we may consider the person of another ethnicity as distinct, but not necessarily inferior.
Throughout history we have seen how many societies have forced another culture to disappear, either by 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 distinct without need to remove it, but seeks cooperation, understanding and respect on the part of all cultures.
Examples of ethnic diversity in the world
Throughout the South American and Spanish American countries, a great number of cultures and ethnic groups coexist, so there is a great deal of ethnic diversity.
There are people of indigenous origin, but also of European, African or Asian origin. Depending on the country in which we are, there are differences regarding the ethnic diversity of the country.
There are many countries in which ethnic groups have united and produced a mestizo race, such as people with European blood along with indigenous, African or Asian blood.
Caribbean and Mexico
In areas like the Caribbean, most of the population has European or African blood. In contrast to Mexico with a majority of indigenous and European blood. This ethnic diversity is reflected in the physical characteristics of the population.
Argentina
For example in Argentina, the European ancestry of the population is evident. 85% of the population is of European origin, mainly Italian, and the other 15% comes from indigenous blood.
Colombia
Colombia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Thanks to its geographical location, it is at the doors 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 mainly in the rural area, with the highest index in Guajira, Putumayo and Amazonas.
The population descended from the African ethnic group, constitutes slightly more than 10% of the total national population. We also find people of gypsy ethnicity, which reach up to a population of 5,000 people.
Colombia considers that the plurality of ethnic groups represents a source of patriotic pride. The richness of intangible culture in Colombia is high thanks to the number of Amerindian and Creole languages, such as the bandé, Palenquero and Roma.
Ecuador
In Ecuador about 80% of the population is mestizo. Up to 13 indigenous nationalities are recognized, among which we find the Chachi, Tsachila, Amazon Quichuas, Awa, Epera...
Only nine native languages are recognized in the Amazon region of this country. Arriving until the 13 in all 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 region of the Andes , Who continue to maintain their customs and culture over the years, including many tribes in which it seems that the global presence of society has not yet arrived.
References
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- OGBU, John U. Understanding cultural diversity and learning. Educational researcher , 1992, vol. 21, no. 8, p. 5-14.
- FEARON, James D. Ethnic and cultural diversity by country. Journal of Economic Growth , 2003, vol. 8, no. 2, p. 195-222.
- RIGGINS, Stephen Harold (ed.). Ethnic minority media: An international perspective . Sage Publications, 1992.
- GREEN, James W. Cultural awareness in the human services: A multi-ethnic approach . Prentice Hall, 1995.
- ATKINSON, Donald R.; MORTEN, George; SUE, Derald Wing. Counseling American minorities: A cross-cultural perspective . Brown & Benchmark, 1979.