Ethnohistory

/ˌɛθnoʊˈhɪstəri/ noun

Definition

The study of the history and culture of specific ethnic groups, combining methods from anthropology, history, and ethnography.

Etymology

From ethno- (Greek ethnos, 'people') + history (Latin historia). The discipline developed in mid-20th century America as scholars sought to give voice to indigenous and minority peoples' own historical narratives.

Kelly Says

Ethnohistory transformed how we understand early American history—suddenly the stories of Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) politics, African diaspora networks, and indigenous trade systems became central rather than footnotes.

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