Ethnography

Ethnography is the study of people and cultures, analysing the latter from the former's viewpoint, documenting the cultural development of a group.

Originally an area of anthropologist interests, it has also become popular in the social sciences, communication studies and history. Ethnography is relevant for the understanding of ethnic differences, compositions and materialism/spirituality among the observed populations. A holistic study, it usually includes history and terrain and climate features. Its purpose is to provide a basic understanding of the varied styles in human social life.

The field of anthropology originated from Europe in late 19th century, arriving in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. The founders of ethnography are considered to be EB Tylor (1832-1917) from Britain and Lewis H Morgan (1818-1881), from the us. Franz Boas (1858-1942), Bronislaw Malinowski (1858—1942), Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead (1901-1978), were researchers who contributed the idea of cultural relativism to the literature, focusing on the use of documents and informants, including experiencing life as one of them.