What is an ethnos? The answer to this question can not always be the same. The word ethnos itself is of Greek origin, but it has nothing to do with today's meaning. The people - this is how it is translated, and in Greece there were several concepts of the word. Namely, the word "ethnos" was derogatory - "herd", "swarm", "flock" and in most cases was applied to animals.
What is an ethnos today? Ethnicity is a group of people that has formed historically and has been united by common cultural and linguistic characteristics. In Russian, the concept of "ethnicity" is close in meaning to the concepts of "people" or "tribe." And to make it more clear, both of these concepts should be characterized.
A people is a specific group of people that is distinguished by common features. This includes territory, language, religion, culture, historical past. One of the main features is a common language, but this is not the only condition. There are many peoples who speak the same language. For example, Austrians, Germans and some Swiss use German. Or the Irish, Scots and Welsh, who can be said to have completely switched to English, but who do not consider themselves British. So in this case, the word "people" can be completely replaced by the term "ethnos".
A tribe is also a group of people, but which feels kinship among themselves. A tribe may not have one compact territory of residence, and its claims to some territory may not be recognized by other groups. According to one definition, a tribe has common features that are clearly different: origin, language, traditions, religion. Another definition states that it is enough to have faith in a common connection, and you are already considered one tribe. The latter definition is more suitable for political unions.
But back to the main question - "what is an ethnic group." He began his formation 100 thousand years ago, and before that there were such concepts as a family, then the clan and the clan completed everything. Scientists interpret the main signs of an ethnos differently. Some call only language and culture, others add a general location, and still others add a general psychological essence.
Each ethnic group has its own stereotype of behavior and, of course, a unique structure. An internal ethnos is a specific norm of relations between an individual and a collective and between individuals themselves. Such a rule is secretly accepted in all areas of everyday life and is perceived as one single way of dormitory. And for the members of this ethnic group, this form is not a burden, since they are familiar with it. And vice versa, when a representative of one ethnos comes into contact with the norms of behavior of another, he may be confused and greatly surprised at the eccentricities of an unfamiliar people.
Since ancient times, our country combined various ethnic groups. Some ethnic groups of Russia entered it from the very beginning, while others merged gradually, at different stages of history. But they all have equal rights and duties to the state and are part of the people of Russia. They have a common education system, common legal and legal norms, and, of course, a common Russian language.
All Russians are obliged to know the diversity of the ethnic group of their country, to get acquainted with the culture of each of them. Have at least a basic concept of what an ethnic group is. Without this, a harmonious existence within a single state is impossible. Unfortunately, over the past 100 years as an ethnic group, 9 nationalities have disappeared and another 7 are on the verge of extinction. For example, Evenks (natives of the Amur Region) have a stable tendency to disappear. There are already about 1300 people left. As you can see, the numbers speak for themselves, and the process of the disappearance of the ethnic group continues irreversibly.
