An ethnic group is a human population whose members identify with each other, usually on the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry (Smith 1986). Ethnic groups are also usually united by common cultural, behavioural, linguistic, or religious practices. In this sense, an ethnic group is also a cultural community.

From an objective standpoint, an ethnic group is also an endogamous population, that is, members of an ethnic group procreate primarily with other members of their ethnic group, something which is measurable in terms of characteristic average genetic frequencies. These differences, however, usually do not approach the magnitude of racial difference in that the genetic differences within an ethnic group are greater than the difference between any two ethnic groups. The characteristic of endogamy is reinforced by proximity, cultural familiarity, and also social pressure (in extreme cases, by legal command) to procreate within the ethnic group.

Types of ethnic group

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In general, two types of ethnic groups have arisen in human history. The earliest form is the kinship-based ethnic group most closely corresponding to the term "tribe". As human populations became more mobile, another type of ethnic group arose, most closely associated with the evolution of the state ("country"), as the opportunity to procreate outside the old kinship systems presented itself. Invasion, migration, and pan-ethnic religions have contributed to a further evolution of new ethnic groups out of the mixture of older ethnic groups. At the same time, ethnic distinction can persist, even within the bounds of a single country as long as members of an ethnic group procreate primarily among themselves, for various reasons.

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NYT > Music

Keep the Music, Add the Views
By BEN SISARIO Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:01:32 -0000
Thanks to the ingenuity and one-upmanship of local concert promoters, yet more concerts are turning up in the most unusual and amazing places.
Music: Torture-Free but Still a Rock Star
By DAVID CARR Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:07:12 -0000
Jeff Tweedy has led Wilco to new success and has found himself a piece of normality too.
Deal Near on Jackson Service, as Custody Battle Looms
By JONATHAN D. GLATER and LIZ ROBBINS Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:28:53 -0000
Michael Jackson’s family faced a potential custody battle with the mother of two of his children.

NPR Topics: Music

Four For The Fourth: Songs For America
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:56:00 -0400
The Fourth of July is a birthday party and the whole country is invited. And every party needs music. Whether meditating on America's landscape, its freedoms or the things about it that frustrate us, America is ripe for inspiration, as evidenced by the songs here.
King Sunny Ade: The Chairman In Concert
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:41:00 -0400
The Nigerian musician brings his mesmerizing beats and animated performers to Seattle for an exciting show of Nigerian juju music. The seventy-minute set features Yoruban praises and proverbs, backed by an incredible percussion section.
Summer Song Favorite: 'One Bad Apple'
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:12:00 -0400
For the second in a series of summer songs — that may not actually be about summer, yet bring back a memory of the season — All Things Considered host Melissa Block spoke to author Ann Patchett, who shares what she calls "a deeply humiliating story" about the song she thinks of when summer rolls around.

Rolling Stone: Features

"Play" 10 Years Later: Moby's Track by Track Guide to 1999's Global Smash
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:32:40 -0700
How scratchy field recordings, Gwen Stefani and a Leonardo DiCaprio flick transformed him from a "has-been" into an international star When Play was released, I kind of thought my career was over," says Moby. He's speaking from the sparse, utilitarian Manhattan studio where he recorded the 1999 smash in the years before the walls were dotted with awards documenting its 10 million copies sold. Play wasn't the first album to make a rock star out of an insular techno nerdnik, but it was the first to make one a pop sensation. An effortless blend of atmospheric swoops, block-rocking beats and bluesy a cappellas nicked from...
Michael Jackson: The Essential Playlist
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:05:16 -0700
Look back at the King of Pop's remarkable career in Rolling Stone's archives. Check out photos, cover stories, album reviews and more at our Michael Jackson hub. Culling a playlist from an artist as estimable and...
"Not Like Other Guys": Rob Sheffield Remembers Michael Jackson
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:23:44 -0700
Look back at the King of Pop's remarkable career in Rolling Stone's archives. Check out photos, cover stories, album reviews and more at our Michael Jackson hub. The night Michael Jackson died: a street corner in...

News @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

Bee Gees, Poison And Rage Sue New York Nightclub Owner
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:55:59 -0400
The Bee Gees, Rage Against The Machine and Poison have teamed up to sue a New York City nightclub boss for copyright infringement.
Testament Embarks On European Tour
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:20:04 -0400
Testament now hit Europe hard on a huge summer run, where they'll be playing the Metalcamp, Wacken Open Air, and the Brutal Assault festivals.
Alexisonfire Debut On Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart At No 81
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:16:38 -0400
The rockers' new disc Old Crows/Young Cardinals debuted on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart this week at #81 and #9 in the independent album chart.

Yahoo! Music Top Songs

#1: I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:57:03 -0700
(C)2008 Capitol.
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(C)2007 Columbia/Red.
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(C)2008 Universal Republic.
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(C)2008 Barclay.

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