1. Ethnic Group

2. 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

3. Culture

4. What is Culture?
The customs, traditions, beliefs and values that a group of people share.

5. Elements of Culture Religion Language Customs & Traditions Government
Economy

6. Religion

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

8. Monotheistic Religions
A belief in one god.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions.

9. Polytheistic Religions
The belief in more than one god.

10. Language

11. Language System of communication
People who speak the same language often share the same culture

12. Customs & Traditions

13. 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

14. 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

15. Example of Customs & Traditions
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

16. Government

17. Customs & Traditions Government
Provide for the peoples common needs, keep order within society with rules and laws, and protect their society from outside threats.
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
1 Person Makes ALL of the decisions.
A Small Group Makes ALL of the decisions.
The People make Decisions by Voting!

18. Economy

19. Bartering: Trading without using money
Customs & Traditions
Economy
The system a country uses when they produce, sell or buy goods and services.
Traditional
People produce most of what they need to survive.
Hunting, gathering, farming, herding cattle, make own clothes/tools.
Bartering: Trading without using money

20. Cultural Diversity

21. Customs & Traditions Cultural Diversity
Differences among people because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds, language, dress and traditions.