The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography Chapter 7: Ethnicity The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography

Cultural Heritage Examples of Syncretism - Merging of cultural, religious and sometimes political beliefs Native American Cultural Traits European Cultural Traits Human Sacrifices to Gods as part of complex rituals that petitioned the Gods for something (ex: Aztecs - rising of sun) Belief in the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a reconciliation with God for forgiveness of human sins. - Mexican Catholic Traditions unique and distinct to Mexican culture. - Widespread acceptance of Catholic belief system within Mexico and has become a large part of their cultural heritage.

Cultural Heritage Examples of Syncretism Native American Cultural Traits European Cultural Traits Worship of the Dead (especially dead rulers) In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. Aztecs honored the “Lady of the Dead” Worship of dead saints in Catholic traditions All Saints Day (November 1st) All Souls Day (November 2nd) Dia de los Muertos – merges the Native and Catholic traditions

Holidays & Syncretism Christmas Easter When we celebrate Christmas with Christmas trees, and feasts, we hearken back to Pagan rituals that were swept up and incorporated into Christianity in an effort to convert non-Christians. The date for Christmas was originally a holiday for the pagan god Mithras. If you hunt Easter eggs at Easter, you’re not only celebrating the resurrection of Christ but also adding Greek and Roman pagan ritual to your beliefs as a Christian.

Religion and Ethnicity Complex conflict that merge both religion and ethnic conflict, often over defined areas or resources.

Ethnicity Ethnicity = from the Greek ethnikos, meaning “national” Ethnicities share a cultural identity with people from the same homeland Ethnicities have distinctive cultural traits Race = people who share a biological ancestor

Universalizing vs. ethnic religions Universalizing religions attempt to be global, to appeal to all people wherever they live – 60% of world’s population (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) Ethnic religions appeal to one group of people living in one place – 25% (Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism, ethnic African religions No religion – 15% of world’s population

Borders How are Borders determined? Berlin wall How are Borders determined? Borders can separate nations, cultures, or neighborhoods. A number of factors determine where borders can be located… Peace Lines, Belfast, Northern Ireland Israel-Palestine Wall: Banksy Graffiti

West Bank Wall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ptRtRVn8EU

Belfast Peace Walls What are the problems with cultural borders? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2d4NPNmSfQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afxRUsMsqDg

Borders What are the problems with natural borders? Who controls the resources? What are the problems with geometric borders? Ethnic conflict http://news.msn.com/science-technology/china-eyes-greenlands-natural-resources

The Nine Nations of North America http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/174-the-nine-nations-of-north-america/

Regionalism Clusters of like areas that are distinctive by their uniformity or description (similar characteristics, either physical or human). Many regions are perceptual How do we define our regions? Legal Regions Regionalism based on early settlement patterns Belt Regions Cultural Regions

Regionalism 1. Legal Regions – US census Bureau Regions

2. Regions based on settlement patterns "American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America." http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/july-dec11/colinwoodard_11-24.html

3. Belt Regions Belt Regions of the US – portions of the country that share certain characteristics. First applied to growing regions – follow lines of latitude and have similar climates, soil conditions. Usage has expanded to other economic, climatic and cultural concentrations. Often vague borders Ex: Bible Belt, Snowbelt, Sun Belt…

4. Cultural Traits by Region EX: Observations of Stephen Fry in Maine…. Language – accents People – hard workers (immigrant heritage) Landscape, animals, food (insiders knowledge) Maine – 6:30 http://video.yandex.ru/users/stephenfry-ru/view/5/?cauthor=stephenfry-ru&cid=3

Cultural Regionalism within State The Quiet Corner noticeably more rustic in character than the more suburban towns to the west under populated and isolated in contrast with the rest of Connecticut, with many of its towns having populations below 5,000. Greater Hartford Not dependent on out-of-state metropolitan areas such as New York City or Boston. It is on the fairly level land of the Connecticut River valley with soil less rocky than that of other areas in the state

Examples of American Regions Geography’s impact on regional culture Midwest developed into food crop centers Northern plains were rocky lent to Dairy Belt: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakotas, Montana Central plains had rich soil Wheat Belt (Texas up to Saskatchewan) Corn Belts (Ohio to Iowa) West/Pacific Mixed economy Started as timber in Oregon on up Gold/minerals in California and Rocky Mountains Now: Hollywood, technology (Silicon Valley), fruits (plus win) Overall, population has shifted westward and southward

Where Are Ethnicities Distributed? Distribution of ethnicities in the United States Hispanics (Latinos) = 15 percent of the U.S. population African Americans = 13 percent of the U.S. population Asian Americans = 4 percent of the U.S. population American Indians = 1 percent of the U.S. population

Distribution of Hispanics in the United States Figure 7-1

Distribution of African Americans in the United States Figure 7-2

Distribution of Asian Americans in the United States Figure 7-3

Distribution of American Indians in the United States Figure 7-4

Where Are Ethnicities Distributed? Concentration of ethnicities in U.S. cities 90 percent of African Americans and Hispanics live in cities Remnants of twentieth-century European migration = still evident on the landscape Example: clustering of restaurants in Little Italy, Greektown

Distribution of Ethnicities in Chicago and Los Angeles Figure 7-5 Figure 7-6

Where Are Ethnicities Distributed? African American migration patterns Three major migration patterns Forced migration from Africa (eighteenth century) The triangular slave trade Immigration from the South to northern cities (first half of the twentieth century) Identifiable paths of migration Immigration out of inner cities to other urban areas (second half of the twentieth century to present) The ghetto

Triangular Slave Pattern Figure 7-8

African American Migration in the United States (Twentieth Century) Figure 7-10

Where Are Ethnicities Distributed? Differentiating ethnicity and race Often confusing Race = traits that are shared genetically Biological features within one racial group are highly variable Biological classification of people into distinct racial groups is meaningless Spatial effects of racism “Separate but equal” “White flight” Blockbusting Apartheid in South Africa

Apartheid Figure 7-13

Why Have Ethnicities Been Transformed into Nationalities? Rise of nationalities Nationality = identity with a group of people who share a common allegiance to a particular country Nation-state Examples Denmark Nation-states in Europe Nationalism = loyalty and devotion to a nationality

Nation-states in Europe Figure 7-15

Why Have Ethnicities Been Transformed into Nationalities? Multinational states Multiethnic state A state with multiple ethnic groups, all of whom might contribute to a larger national identity Example: the United States Multinational state A state with multiple ethnic groups who retain their own distinctive national identity Example: the United Kingdom Example: Russia (the largest multinational state) Revival of ethnic identity

Ethnicities in Russia Figure 7-18

Why Do Ethnicities Clash? Ethnic competition to dominate nationality Ethnic competition in the Horn of Africa Ethiopia and Eritrea Sudan Somalia Ethnic competition in Lebanon Religious and ethnic differences

Ethnic Diversity in Eastern Africa Figure 7-21

Ethnicities in Lebanon Figure 7-23

Why Do Ethnicities Clash? Dividing ethnicities among more than one state Dividing ethnicities in South Asia examples India and Pakistan Kashmir Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka

Ethnic Division in South Asia Figure 7-24

What Is Ethnic Cleansing? Ethnic cleansing = process in which a more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes a less powerful group from their territory The purpose is not to subjugate, but to remove Today, most ethnic cleansing happens in Europe and Africa

What Is Ethnic Cleansing? Ethnic cleansing in Europe Largest forced migration = 1939–1945 Jews, gypsies, and others forcibly removed by Nazis The former Yugoslavia Creation of multiethnic Yugoslavia The breakup of Yugoslavia Ethnic cleansing in Bosnia Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo Balkanization

The Balkans in 1914 Figure 7-29

What Is Ethnic Cleansing? Ethnic cleansing in central Africa Most boundaries in Africa do not correspond to ethnic groups Conflict between Hutu and Tutsi destabilizes the region Ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rwanda Refugees spill into neighboring countries Democratic Republic of Congo falls into civil war

Ethnic, Religion and Political Conflicts Similarities Differences Solutions? Ethnic Tension Religious Political

Combat Zone http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolferossphotographs/92517906/

Ethnicities in Africa Figure 7-33

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