Ethnicity Research Guide
The following topics and questions will be addressed throughout our “Cultural Investigation”
unit. You will be responsible for sharing information in class regarding these topics and your
chosen ethnicity. You may print and write directly on this sheet, download it and type
directly on it….or simply write these questions on your own paper. This will not be turned in,
but you will see these questions in class when we discuss each topic. The answers to these
questions will also be helpful when developing your “TEDTalk” presentation. Please be sure
to note the source information as you will more than likely need it again!
Enjoy the investigating!
Background Info:
1. Where does this ethnicity exist? (continent, countries, region, etc.)
2. What language does this ethnic group natively speak? Possible second language? Provide an explanation of
the language family, origin, diffusion, etc.
3. What is the primary / predominant religion of this ethnicity? Provide basic beliefs and practices that are
distinct for this ethnicity.
4. Provide a basic historic background for this ethnicity? (origins, major events, possible relocation, impact of
diffusion, etc.)
Rites of Passage:
1. What “stages of life” are honored during rites of passage in this ethnic group?
2. What purposes do these rites of passage serve?
3. How does location (physical geography) impact the rites of passage of this ethnic group?
4. What role do resources play in carrying out these rites?
5. How do rites of passage help to instill or promote the beliefs and practices of this ethnic group?
Think about….Healthcare / Cleanliness Practices……Food Preparation / Consumption…..
Division of Labor/Gender Roles…..Respect for Authority Figures…etc.
Holidays and Celebrations
1. For what reasons does this ethnic group create regular (weekly/monthly/annual) celebrations and holidays?
List as many as possible…be general!
2. Describe the major celebrations of your ethnicity.
3. What role do resources play in holidays and celebrations? List an examples.
4. Are the celebrations of your ethnic group similar to those of any another ethnicity’s? Explain.
5. For fun…..Santa Claus seems to be a compilation of many cultural beliefs and practices. Does your ethnicity
have a Santa-like character? Provide an explanation!
Clothing and Beauty Modification
1. How does location (physical geography) impact the traditional clothing and/or beauty modification of your
selected ethnic group?
2. For what reasons do people alter their bodies within this ethnic group? Explain.
3. What role does clothing and/or beauty modification play in ceremonies and celebrations within your
ethnicity?
4. How does clothing and beauty modification reflect the values and beliefs of this ethnic group?
5. Why might some clothing items or methods of beauty modification only apply to certain groups within this
ethnicity? (ex: genders, age groups, classes, professions, etc.)
6. How have traditional clothing items and methods of beauty modification from this ethnicity been
incorporated into that of the modern globalized world?
7. How are natural resources impacted by the clothing an beauty modification practices of these people?
8. Can clothing be required, practical and fashionable at the same time? Provide an example from your
ethnicity!
Medical/ Health Practices
1. Does your ethnicity have any practices that are designed to promote health and prevent medical problems?
Explain.
2. What unique medical practices does your ethnicity employ when dealing with injuries, diseases, or other
ailments? Explain.
3. How does location (physical geography) impact the medical practices of your selected ethnic group?
4. Are there any cultural practices that are harmful to the population, but continue on a regular basis? Either
harmful to the environment and therefore the larger population, or the individual involved in the practice.
Explain. If so, why are they still practiced?
5. Are any of your ethnicity’s practices a product of diffusion from other parts of the world? Explain.
6. What practices might the western world borrow from this ethnicity? Why these practices?
Food and Entertainment
1. What are the staple foods of your ethnicity? Provide a few examples of dishes using this staple food.
*Please consider making one of these dishes on the “Food and Entertainment” day!
2. How does location (physical geography) impact the food selections of your ethnic group?
3. What role does food play in the ceremonies and celebrations (holidays, rites of passage, etc.) of your
ethnicity?
4. What foods, if any, from your ethnicity have been incorporated into the culture of the modern globalized
world? Provide examples and explain the global impact of this!
5. How do the cultural characteristics of this ethnicity impact the acceptability/distain of certain foods?
6. For fun…..Do all cultures have a wrapped / portable food? How about yours….List as many as you can!
7. How does location (geography) impact the sources of entertainment for your ethnic group?
8. What purposes are served by the forms of entertainment of your ethnicity?
9. What role do resources play in entertainment and recreation for your ethnic group?
Artifacts and Architecture
1. Provide an example of an artifact, piece of art, symbol or icon from your ethnic group that would be widely
recognized by that population. Explain its significance to your ethnic group. ***Make a sample of this
artifact or symbol to share with the class for extra credit!
2. How does location (physical geography) impact the artifacts and symbols that are produced and used by
your ethnic group?
3. What came first…the symbol or the meaning? How does an item, useful or not, become an artifact, symbol
or icon? Think about it and provide an example from your ethnicity!
1. Describe the structure of a traditional home lived in by the people of your ethnicity? How does this home
reflect the relationship these people have with resources.
2. Do the buildings / structures of your ethnic group play a specific role in the beliefs or practices of the
population? Explain.
3. How does location (physical geography) impact the architecture or building techniques of your ethnic
group?
4. Has the traditional architecture of your ethnicity been incorporated into the landscape of the modern
globalized world? What impact has that had?
5. How can architecture reflect the values and beliefs of an ethnic group?
Manners, Do’s and Taboos
1. Complete the chart below to describe the proper etiquette in each situation for your ethnicity.
This will be used for a fun activity in class!
Greeting /
Salutation
Arrival Time /
Early or Late
Giving and receiving
Gifts
Daily Dress or
Adornment
Eating
a meal
Body Functions (laugh,
sneeze, etc.)
2. How do taboos (or the lack of) reflect the values and beliefs of your ethnic group?
3. Do your ethnicity’s do’s and taboos make it easy or difficult to function in the modern globalized world?
Explain.
4. How have the various manners or taboos (etiquette) of your ethnicity diffused into the modern globalized
world? Provide examples.
5. What impact do manners, dos or taboos have on the use of resources by your ethnicity?