Interethnic Relations Research Articles

Migration and Inter-ethnic Relations in India: A Review of Communal Harmony and Conflict

Migration has played a central role in shaping the ethnic and cultural fabric of India. This review-based research paper explores the complex relationship between migration and inter-ethnic relations in India, focusing on how migration fosters both communal harmony and conflict. Drawing upon interdisciplinary literature from sociology, anthropology, and political science, the paper reviews historical and contemporary migration patterns, inter-group interactions, and state responses. It evaluates the sociological mechanisms that lead to cultural integration as well as those that incite ethnic tensions. The review reveals that while migration has contributed to economic dynamism and cultural pluralism, it has also been implicated in identity politics and communal violence. The paper concludes by suggesting inclusive policy approaches and community-based strategies to strengthen inter-ethnic understanding and mitigate conflict.

Проблемы социокультурных аспектов развития цивилизации в контексте политических рисков и соблюдения прав человека

Most foreign and domestic researchers associate the problems of socio-cultural aspects of the development of civilization not only with national culture, but also with national cultural values, traditions and customs. The lack of a fundamental approach to the development of civilization can lead to the emergence of destructive tendencies in interethnic relations, which is fraught with negative consequences. The aim of the study is to contribute to the reduction of political risks in the development of civilization, taking into account human rights, strengthening and ensuring the stability of interethnic socio-cultural processes; to show the need to disclose the category of naturalness of rights, to complement the national policy of the country taking into account cultural and anthropological factors. The work proves that natural human rights and national culture were established in antiquity as a result of the formation of a branched kin system. A new idea of the development of civilization in the political risks of respect for human rights is proposed – identity and utilitarianism. The methods of cultural, social, legal, political and economic anthropology are applied. The material can become a basis for the development of national-cultural policy of the country, programs of political parties.

ORIENTASI POLITIK ISLAM ERA MADINAH

The political orientation of the Medina period was marked by the establishment of the first Islamic political and social order by the Prophet Muhammad SAW who migrated from Mecca in 622 AD. The Prophet Muhammad, who was based in Medina, drafted the Medina Charter which led to Medina. The constitution for this period regulated interreligious and inter-ethnic relations and guaranteed their rights. This political system prioritized national unity through ukhuwah Islamiyah, decision-making (shura), and the application of Islamic law. In addition, Medina became the center of government responsible for social welfare, such as distributing zakat and forming an army to protect the community. This comprehensive, fair and systematic policy became the foundation for the expansion of Islamic influence into the surrounding area. The political orientation of the Medina period became an early model of Islamic governance, integrating spiritual, social, legal and economic dimensions into one. The relationship between Islam and the state in Indonesia is a crucial issue in the history of Islamic.

The Linguistic Landscape Reflecting Cultural and Social Communities

In the context of globalization and migration processes, the linguistic landscape becomes an important indicator of cultural and social identity. This article is devoted to the study of the linguistic landscape as a way of visualizing cultural and social communities in the urban space. Examples from different regions are analyzed, where the use of languages on signs, pointers, graffiti and other elements of the urban environment demonstrates sociolinguistic dynamics and processes of self-identification of groups. The article's purpose is to consider how the linguistic landscape functions as an identity map that influences the perception of cultural space and interethnic relations.

Culinary Traditions and Ethnographic Lexicon in The Samarkand Korean Diaspora: A Comparative Study of Food-Related Rituals and Language

The Korean Diaspora is one of the largest ethnic groups in Uzbekistan, with a population of over 200 thousand. CIS Koreans call themselves Koryo-saram. Their language is Koryo-mar dialect. Being close to the Yukchin dialect, the Koryo-marunderwentthe strong influence of the Russian language. Koryo-saramalso speak the local languages: Uzbek, Russian, Kazakh and others. Representatives of many nationalities and ethnic groups have lived in Uzbekistan since ancient times. Interethnic harmony is one of the priorities of the state policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, that implies the unity and cooperation of numerous nationalities and ethnic groups, living in a particular area. This issue is also very important for the Republic of Uzbekistan. The harmony in interethnic relations effectively influences the political and economic development of a multinational society. The vivid example is Uzbekistan – South Korean relations. There are 31 Korean national cultural centers in Uzbekistan. They have the same conditions for the development of language, culture and customs as other nationalities and ethnic groups. The Interregional festival of Korean language and culture is also traditionally held with the support of the South Korean embassy [1]. In a letter of thanks to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye said, "I was pleasantly surprised and deeply impressed by your attention to the Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan [8]."

Foreign Migrants and Criminal Activity in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

The article offers an analysis of ethno-demographic data on administrative offenses and criminal offenses committed by migrants in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the period from 2021–2023. Based on the analysis of statistical data, applying the mathematical method of exponential smoothing, the authors of the article presented a forecast of possible crimes by migrants (until 2030). The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the largest region of the Russian Federation; in spatial terms, the territorial structure of the republic's economy is formed by districts (uluses) united into economic zones. To consider the dynamics of crimes committed by migrants, the authors assessed the ethno-demographic situation in the economic zones of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): there is a trend towards an increase in the number of Central Asian and South-Eastern peoples. Over the past 20 years, the number of ethnic groups common before 2002– Belarusians, Ukrainians, Moldovans, Kazakhs, Azerbaijanis– has decreased, and a gradual outflow of the Slavic group of peoples has been observed. During the analysis of official statistical data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), it was revealed that many crimes are committed by migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. They mainly commit crimes under the chapters of the Criminal Code of the RF “violations against the order of administration” (37%), followed by crimes against property (28%), crimes against life and health (13%), and crimes against sexual inviolability (10%). This article is of great practical significance, as it is aimed at developing ways to harmonize interethnic relations and improve national security in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

An Anthropological Perspective on Vlachs in Southeast Albania

This research gives an overview of the Vlach identity in southeast Albania within the pattern of self-designation. I try to identify identity aspects of the place and people under the influence of border and transnationalism, during communism and post-communism, and the transition from communism to a democratic system. I discuss how during the two systems the place and people developed a marginalized identity affected by the lack of the Center’s attention (Tirana) and by developing policies. In this paper, I debate about politics of identity and politics of assimilation relating to the Vlach minority in the county of Korça. Particular attention is given to Census Albania 2011 while I explain the assimilation politics of the Albanian state. Significant is the fact that I focused my study in my own country as part of anthropology at home, because I saw it worth utilizing the repertoire of being familiar with my own people’s culture, including also the acquaintances of language-Albanian and Romanian and with people of the area. The research was conducted in rural villages with a high presence of Vlach minority, in order to analyze inter-ethnic relations. The social research map targeted the village of Voskopoja, former Moscopole or Moscopolis as it is also a multiculturalist landmark affected by transnationalism and transmigration processes. In observing identity aspects, I employed a total experience, demanding my anthropological resources, intellectual, political, intuitive, native, and insiderness-outsiderness observation forms of knowledge. Had to measure the controlled information the locals delivered to me or to other researchers who had already produced texts about Vlachs.

Антипротестантська діяльність чорносотенців на Волині напередодні та під час Першої світової війни

The aim of the article is to study the key areas of anti-Protestant activity of the Black Hundreds in Volhyn region and their role in the aggravation of interethnic relations. The research methodology is based on the use of special historical (comparative-historical and chronological) and general scientific research methods (generalization, synthesis and analysis), which, in combination with the principles of historicism, polyfactoriality and objectivism, created the necessary conditions for objective analysis and coverage of the tasks set. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the author, based on materials from the Black Hundreds press, scientific works, and archival documents, investigated the anti-Protestant direction of the Volyn Black Hundreds, who, together with the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, contributed to the aggravation of interfaith and interethnic relations in the region. Conclusions. Based on an impartial analysis of archival documents, materials from the periodical press and scientific works, the key directions of the anti-Protestant activity of the Volyn Black Hundreds on the eve and during the First World War were investigated. It was found that at the beginning of the 20th century. in Volyn there was an increase in the number of Protestant communities at the expense of the local population. It was noted that the Protestant faith was brought to the region by German and Czech agrarian colonists. The German agrarian colonists who moved to Volyn were Protestants, but gradually the Protestant faith began to spread among the local population. After the start of its activities, the Black Hundreds Union of the Russian People launched an active and purposeful campaign aimed at discrediting Protestants. On the eve and especially during the First World War, pressure from the authorities and the Black Hundreds on Protestants intensified. Carrying out anti-Protestant activities, the allies regularly held missionary anti-Protestant courses for the zealots of the union and missionary priests in the Pochaiv Lavra. Information about the activities of the missionary priests was regularly published on the pages of the Black Hundreds press. This direction of activity of the allies contributed to an even greater aggravation of inter-confessional and inter-ethnic relations in Volhynia.

Heightened Inter-Ethnic Conflicts and Mitigating Measures in Turbo Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya 1991-2010

Purpose: The study explored how the political elite strategically manipulated Turbo’s Sub-County ethnic diversity to further their own agendas, leading to the balkanization and the outbreak of violence during the 1992, 1997, and 2007 election cycles. The study also evaluated the mitigating measures implemented to address ethnic conflict in the region within the above timeframe and the successes or otherwise of those efforts. Methodology: Purposive and snowballing sampling methods were employed and the data collected and analyzed qualitatively. Primary data was gathered by conducting questionnaires, interviews and by examining government official reports and archival documents whereas secondary data was sourced from theses, books, articles in newspapers and journals from libraries. Findings: Politicization of ethnicity through balkanization of the residents into rigid ethnic enclaves provokes conflicts. There was creation of the 'outsiders' versus 'indigenous' narrative, where the Kalenjin, as the dominant group, viewed all other ethnic communities as outsiders, despite their long-standing presence in the area. The political manipulations that fueled these cycles of violence were further exacerbated by impunity, as perpetrators of violence were often shielded by political elites seeking to maintain power. These conflicts have amplified ethnic differences making citizens to consciously identify more with their ethnic groups than being Kenyan citizens. Interventions by different stakeholders have only partially been successful in addressing the heightened inter-ethnic conflicts in Turbo Sub- County between 1991 and 2010. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study contributes to existing data on ethno-politics, inter-ethnic relations and the nature of politicization of ethnicity in Africa. It examines the grass root ethnicity mix up with national political incitement. The findings from this study, it is hoped, will contribute to formulation of new policy and interventions to improve national unity and integration in Kenya.

Ethnic Enclave as Social and Economic Phenomenon in Today’s Russia

The article deals with the problem of ethnic immigrant enclave in today’s Russia. Possibility of stable and closed communities rise is stipulated not only by mass inflow of migrants of different cultures and their concentration in certain regions but also by underdeveloped state policy in the field of migration and inter-ethnic relations. In this way risks raised by enclaves are underestimated. Insufficient attention is paid to researching features of their economic activity, mainly in the shadow sector. Among economic, political, legal and social reasons that envisage possibility of enclave formation the absence of socio-cultural adaptation and integration of foreign migrants is of utmost importance. Therefore, goals of this work in the field of integration are vague, objectives are unclear, expected results are hazy and results are negative. The article studies assessment of this phenomenon given in documents of strategic planning. Different approaches to understanding the enclave and its characteristics were analyzed; conditions of enclave forming in view of current migration situation and specific features of economic, political and socio-cultural development of our society were investigated and the problem of the enclave in connection with risks and threats caused by its existence were studied. Current signs of the enclave were specified and supplementary indicators were identified as they can be formed in the Russian situation; reasons for its rise and conditions providing its existence were found. On the basis of studying the approaches to researching this phenomenon and diagnostics of ethnic community as an enclave propositions were elaborated for the complex interdisciplinary investigation, whose results could be necessary for the development of state migration policy and struggle against ethnic migrant enclave formation. Apart from that, suggestions for correcting conditions causing formation and development of ethnic migrant enclaves were put forward.

Barriers of Effective Political Communication and Youth Behavior during 2022 Elections in Kisumu County, Kenya

Purpose: The study sought to establish barriers of effective political communication and youth behavior during 2022 elections in Kisumu County, Kenya. The existing gap in knowledge was the understanding of how barriers of effective political communication can influence youth behavior during election campaigns. Methodology: The study was conducted using the descriptive design, with the mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected from 400 respondents of Kisumu County, Kenya, while qualitative data obtained through 10 in-depth interviews and 30 respondents for Focus Group Discussions. Findings: The study findings revealed that even though youth play a critical role in various stages in future leadership, they can be used as a source of unity as well as source of division. If youth are not used productively during electioneering periods, they have negative impact on themselves, families and society at large affecting voter turnout, voting trends and inter-ethnic relationships. The study further found that barriers of effective political communication influence youth behavior. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was informed by Speech Act Theory, Theory of Political Propaganda and Mediatization of Politics Theory.The study recommends the need for political class to follow laid down legislations by avoiding the use of barriers of effective political communication for proper youth engagement in political matters without causing mayhem among themselves in the society through use of hate, propaganda, stereotype and discriminatory political messages.

The Role of Ethnocultural (Folklore) Traditions in the Process of Civic-Patriotic Education

Examines the problem of forming civic-patriotic qualities of an individual based on the use of folk art, including folklore, traditions and culture of an ethnic group. The approaches and methods that contribute to the education of patriotism, a sense of pride in their native culture and moral values in the younger generation are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the ethnocultural approach aimed at spiritual and moral development and harmonization of personal and interethnic relations. The work presents the experience of the project-research department "Manas Studies", which studies the epic "Manas" and folklore literature that reveals the norms, values and cultural characteristics of the Kyrgyz people.

Interethnic relations and conflict potential of the student youth in the vocational education system of Kazakhstan

This article explores the dynamics of interethnic relations among students in Kazakhstan—a group particularly receptive to social changes, global challenges, and vulnerable during the critical stage of value formation. The research is especially relevant in the context of a multicultural educational environment, which serves as the foundation for this study. The aim is to assess the current state of interethnic interactions among students and identify key factors that shape them. A large-scale survey highlighted important influences, including social well-being, interethnic relationships, and the potential for conflict, defined as hostility linked to ethnic identity, as well as migration-related sentiments among young people. By employing a model developed with PLS Softer software, the study uncovered connections between these factors. The findings reveal consistent patterns within the university setting, where a lack of ethnic diversity in the academic and social environment impacts the stability of interethnic relationships. The article also offers practical recommendations for creating a supportive environment for interethnic communication, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities in higher education.

Socialisation and ethnic majorities’ attitudes towards ethnic minorities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of correlational evidence

ABSTRACT Negative attitudes of ethnic majorities towards ethnic minorities constitute a crucial obstacle to achieving social cohesion in ethnically diverse societies. There remains a paucity in the empirical state-of-the-art of socialisation theory on whether and how different aspects of socialisation are associated with ethnic majority outgroup attitudes. This systematic review and meta-analysis addresses this gap by examining how different sources of socialisation (parents, peers, teachers, and the ethnic ingroup) and the content, type and format of the norms they transmit are associated with ethnic majority attitudes towards ethnic minorities. The analysis synthesizes 298 correlations from 75 studies published between 2010 and 2022, representing 46,034 respondents. Our findings reveal that associations between peer norms and attitudes are stronger than those with norms from parents, teachers, or the ethnic ingroup. Regarding content, intergroup contact norms show stronger associations with attitudes than intergroup attitude or inclusivity norms. Regarding type, norms containing both injunctive and descriptive elements exhibit stronger associations than those containing only one. Regarding format, perceived norms show stronger associations than actual norms. We conclude with a conceptual and methodological assessment of the research field, highlighting avenues for future study and advocating for reintroducing socialisation theory into the sociological study of interethnic relations.

Georgian Jews and Georgian non-Jews: Soviet experience through the prism of nostalgia

ABSTRACT This paper critically addresses Soviet-era narratives about Georgian Jews through oral history interviews collected by the author in Israel and Georgia from Georgian Jews and non-Jews. These include topics, such as mutual aid in the shadow economy and in religious traditions, the fight for the right to leave the USSR, as well as contacts between Jewish and non-Jewish families after the aliyah. The author relies on Svetlana Boym’s theoretical work on the notion of nostalgia and on Aleida Assmann’s developments on the mediality of memory to identify the selectivity of memory related to the interethnic relations in Soviet Georgia.

Ethnic fragmentation: An ethnographic study of the Uluan community of South Sumatra, Indonesia

Fragmentation is often understood as a social movement that creates disharmony due to the differentiation and polarization of society. Relatively few articles emphasize that fragmentation occurs because it must be done as stated in cultural values. This article attempts to show the case of the Uluan community in South Sumatra province (Indonesia), where cultural values require the community to divide and separate into new communities. Despite the fragmentation, the pattern of inter-community relations remains harmonious, and in the past even formed inter-ethnic confederations. The case of the Uluan community in South Sumatra confirms that ethnic fragmentation is a common reality and is culturally legitimized as a necessity. Through this article, we will explain what cultural values have developed in the Uluan community of South Sumatra, so that fragmentation is considered a cultural demand, as well as its implications for the pattern of inter-ethnic relations in the Uluan community.

Manifestations of ethnopolitical identity in the narratives of the 2024 presidential election campaign in the Republic of North Macedonia

The article examines the ethnopolitical narratives and symbolic politics technologies used by candidates during the 2024 presidential elections in the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM). It focuses on analyzing electoral programs, public speeches, and the symbolic visualization of political strategies that reflect candidates' positions on issues of national identity, euro-integration, and interethnic relations. The subject of the research includes ethnopolitical (including identity) narratives and their embodiment in the electoral campaign through symbolic politics technologies. The emphasis is placed on the political and managerial potentials of the presidency in the context of developing ethnopolitical contradictions between the Macedonian majority and the Albanian minority. The research revealed that the key narrative of the campaign became the theme of euro-integration; however, candidates interpreted its implications for Macedonian identity differently. The methodological framework includes systemic and institutional approaches for analyzing the political mechanisms in RNM; comparative ethnopolitical analysis that allows for the comparison of candidates' strategies in the context of the country's ethnic heterogeneity; discourse analysis of electoral programs and public speeches; analysis of the symbolic visualization techniques of political concepts (including the design of campaign materials); and analysis of secondary statistical data. The conclusions of the article emphasize that, despite evident ethnopolitical polarization, candidates from the largest political parties vying for victory avoided radical statements, striving to maintain the symbolic-political role of the president as a guarantor of the unity of the civil nation. Macedonian candidates sought to preserve national identity while criticizing concessions to Greece and Bulgaria, whereas Albanian candidates emphasized consociational democracy and the priority of European values. The incumbent president occupied a compromise position, combining support for euro-integration with the rhetoric of all-Macedonian civic unity. However, the electoral programs of the candidates reflected deep differences that exist among ethnic Macedonians and Albanians in understanding the future of the country, indicating the persistence of significant ethnopolitical tensions in Macedonian society.

The role of national cultural centers in strengthening inter-ethnic relations

National cultural centers play an important role in strengthening interethnic relations in society. They serve to build mutual respect and cooperation between different ethnic groups, preserve cultural diversity, and develop interethnic integration. These centers strengthen interethnic dialogue by organizing events such as national holidays, art and culture evenings, and scientific and practical conferences. This article describes in detail the importance of national cultural centers in society.

An Anatomy of Ethnic Gangsterism and Militant Nationalism in Kenya: The Case of Nairobi, 1940-1963

Towards the end of the 1940s, Nairobi was characterized by momentous political conflict. A large proportion of Africans were said to be living outside the confines of colonial supervision, a situation that resulted in gangsterism and serious anarchy. Extensive research has been carried out on various dimensions of this episode, revealing that militarism and anarchy were deeply rooted in unresolved issues revolving around economic deprivation and the political exclusion of Africans by the colonial authorities. Some aspects of this violent agitation however remain unexplored. It’s demonstrated in this study that the urban poor in post-1945 Nairobi, pushed to the limits of human endurance, created their own alternative society in clandestine opposition to the forces of law and order. Examining the anarchy, however, reveals a nexus between anti-colonial militancy and ethnic acrimony. The study reveals that tribalism remained an important influence on daily life and political allegiances in the African locations. Armed with various weapons, Kikuyu gangs roamed the streets, terrorizing people of other communities. The spate of militant activity in Nairobi alienated the non-Kikuyu elements in the African population. Anti-colonial militarism thus had far-reaching implications on inter-ethnic relations in Nairobi. The ethnic question remained critical in political transitions that took place in Nairobi city in the post-Mau Mau period. The study was carried out in Nairobi County, particularly in the colonial ‘African locations’ of Pumwani and Shauri Moyo. It entailed the collection and analysis of data from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected from oral informants and the Kenya National Archives while secondary data came from newspapers, books, magazines and dissertations. Data was then corroborated and both context and content analysis were done to guarantee consistency, reliability and validity of the information. A historical research design based on qualitative procedures was employed. Interpretation was done within the Marxist theoretical framework. Marxists hold that social and political behaviour can be reduced to economic motives, and ethnicity is an important force in political behaviour.

Living as a Victim: Experiences of Women Raped During Farmers– Pastoralists’ Conflict in Delta State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, the issue of rape has become a very worrisome matter. Many victims refuse to speak out due to the stigma attached. Most available pieces of literature on the issue of rape focus on the act (first stage of stigma) and the reactions (second stage of stigma). This article adopts the historical and exploratory design to examine the third stage of stigma, which is the self-imposed stigma on pastoralists’ rape victims in Delta state, Nigeria. It is a qualitative study which includes interviews, focus group discussions (FGD) and newspaper reviews. The data were analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that there is a stigma attached to rape victims, but community experience has shown that there is another level of stigma attached to women who are raped by pastoralists. The study argues that such victims are further stigmatized because pastoralists are seen as ‘dirty’, and the fact that they are ‘strangers’ makes it even worse for the victims. Such women are noticed to suddenly withdraw from their fellow women in the community, and they avoid other women gathering. The study contributes to the literature on rape victimization and the stigma in interethnic relations and violence.