Geographies of ethnogenesis and diasporas

Abstract

Ethnogenesis, the emergence of an ethnic group, is pivotal to understand ethnic communities and diasporas, specifically the variety of place attachments, new forms of home and place-making and the emergence of new hybridities and identities. Despite its obvious relevance, geographers have devoted much less attention to ethnogenesis. Moreover, in all disciplines, the concept of ethnogenesis is used in different ways, while the relationship between ethnogenesis and diaspora is practically absent. This article argues first for conceptual clarification and suggests differentiation of types of ethnogenesis and diasporas; second, to focus on the relationship between ethnogenesis and diaspora; and, third, to broaden the focus to include the environment in accounting for ethnogenesis and diasporas.