greeks greeks greek ethnic group native greece cyprus albania turkey southern italy regions form significant greek communities established world greek colonies communities historically established shores mediterranean_sea black_sea greek people centered seas greek language spoken bronze age early 20th century greeks distributed greek peninsula western coast asia minor black_sea coast central egypt balkans cyprus constantinople regions coincided large extent borders byzantine_empire late 11th century eastern mediterranean areas ancient greek colonization cultural centers greeks included athens alexandria constantinople periods ethnic greeks live borders modern greek state cyprus greek genocide population exchange greece turkey nearly ended old greek presence asia minor longstanding greek populations found southern italy southern russia ukraine greek communities number countries today greeks officially registered members greek orthodox church greeks greatly influenced contributed culture arts exploration literature philosophy politics architecture music mathematics science technology business cuisine sports historically history greeks speak greek language forms unique branch european family languages group pre modern described anthony smith people origins evolution greek considered context early balkan makes difficult exact boundaries individual languages greek representation word initial shared armenian language share morphological greek led propose closer relationship greek armenian evidence remains greek speakers placed early period 3rd millennium end european russell gray paper methods lists arrived somewhat earlier estimate armenian split emergence greek separate linguistic lineage circa greeks borrowed civilization writing system linear developed script known linear providing oldest written evidence greek quickly penetrated sea 15th century reached rhodes crete cyprus shores asia minor greek speaking people followed traditionally historians believed invasion caused collapse civilization likely main attack raiders sea peoples sailed eastern mediterranean invasion followed poorly attested period appropriately called greek dark ages landscape archaic classical greece greeks classical antiquity ancestors period glorious era heroes gods material wealth odyssey especially generally accepted greek past 19th century scholars began question homer heritage survived names gods greece major figures later antiquity classical greek nation linked development pan 8th century according scholars event olympic games idea common greek tribes translated shared cultural experience primarily matter common culture works homer odyssey written 8th century basis national religion history mythology apollo established period classical period greek civilization covers time spanning early 5th century death alexander great authors prefer split period classical end persian wars end war fourth century death alexander named set standards greek civilization judged later eras classical period described golden age greek civilization art philosophy architecture literature instrumental formation development western culture greeks classical era understood belong common loyalty city saw brutally greek city states war large scale civil war powerful greek city states athens allies left greatly weakened feuding greek city states scholars opinions united banner philip alexander great pan ideals generally opt explanation conquest sake conquest conquest sake glory power view ideal useful propaganda directed city states case alexander empire victories battles advance far modern day pakistan provided important outlet greek culture creation colonies trade routes way empire survive creator death intact cultural implications spread middle_east asia prove long lived greek position retained roman times greeks settled cities like alexandria thousand years later communities pakistan afghanistan like claim descended greek settlers civilization period greek civilization beginnings usually placed alexander death age called saw partial non greek cultures lasted conquest egypt rome age saw greeks larger cities reduction importance city state larger cities parts larger kingdoms greeks remained aware past chiefly study works homer classical authors important factor maintaining greek identity contact non greek peoples deepened new cosmopolitan environment multi ethnic kingdoms led strong desire greeks organize transmission generation greek science technology mathematics generally considered reached peak period greek kingdoms buddhism spreading greek missionaries play important role china east greeks alexandria known chinese people roman empire following time conquest independent greek city states post kingdoms world greek speakers lived citizens subjects roman empire despite military superiority romans admired heavily influenced achievements greek culture famous statement greece captured took wild captive religious sphere period profound change spiritual revolution took place saw old greek religion decline beginning 3rd century continued introduction new religious movements east deities like isis introduced greek world greek speaking communities east instrumental spread early christianity 2nd 3rd centuries christianity early leaders writers notably saint paul generally greek speaking greece greece tendency influential centers early christianity fact ancient greek religious practices remained vogue end 4th century areas southeastern remaining pagan 10th century byzantine_empire new eastern religions introduced greek world successful christianity early centuries common era greeks self identified romans greeks time denoted revived 11th century ethnic existed roman empire secondary religious considerations renewed empire christianity tool support promoted robust roman national identity concurrently secular urban civilization late antiquity survived eastern mediterranean roman educational system greeks essential values drawn christianity tradition classical ancestors eastern roman empire today conventionally named byzantine_empire time increasingly influenced greek culture 7th century emperor decided greek empire official language certainly likely earlier greek roman cultures virtually fused single roman world latin west recognized eastern empire claim roman legacy centuries pope leo iii crowned king roman emperor december act eventually led formation holy roman empire latin west started favour began refer eastern roman empire largely empire greeks byzantine greeks largely responsible preservation literature classical era byzantine principally responsible carrying person writing ancient greek literary studies west 15th century giving italian renaissance major boost philosophical tradition nearly greek world thousand years fall constantinople slavic world roman era greeks contributed literacy christianity notable example later work byzantine greek brothers monks saints port city greek macedonia credited today slavic alphabet distinct greek political identity emerged 11th century educated circles forceful fall constantinople fourth crusade empire revived ways greek national state new notion deep interest classical past culminating ideas philosopher abandoned christianity combination orthodox christianity specifically greek identity shaped greeks notion empire twilight years interest classical greek heritage complemented renewed emphasis greek orthodox identity reinforced late medieval ottoman greeks links fellow orthodox christians russian_empire strengthened following fall empire second russo turkish war hundreds thousands greeks fled migrated alps armenian highlands southern russia russian south greeks russia greeks armenia greeks georgia greeks ottoman_empire following fall constantinople greeks sought better employment education opportunities leaving west particularly italy central europe germany russia greeks greatly credited european cultural revolution later called renaissance greek inhabited territory greeks came play leading role ottoman_empire fact central hub empire politically culturally socially based western greek macedonia northern greece course centred mainly greek populated byzantine capital constantinople direct consequence situation greek speakers came play hugely important role ottoman trading diplomatic establishment church added half ottoman period men greek origin significant proportion ottoman army navy state bureaucracy having levied especially serbs ottoman service ottomans greek origin found ottoman forces governed provinces ottoman egypt ottomans occupied algeria frequently provincial governors remained ottoman_empire system religion defining characteristic national groups greeks applied ottomans members orthodox church regardless language ethnic origin greek speakers ethnic group actually opposed named educated considered ethnicity greeks escaped second class status christians inherent ottoman system according muslims explicitly awarded senior status treatment greeks emigrated particularly fellow greek orthodox protector russian_empire simply converted islam whilst remaining christian notable examples large scale conversion turkish islam today defined greek muslims excluding convert matter course recruited found crete turks greek macedonia example western macedonia greeks alps armenian highlands ottoman princes greek origin mothers greek byzantine noble families famous example sultan grim mother greek roots greek success ottoman_empire traced greek tradition education commerce exemplified wealth extensive merchant class provided material basis intellectual revival prominent feature greek life half century leading outbreak greek war independence coincidentally eve important centres greek learning situated major centres greek commerce greek success favoured greek domination christian orthodox church modern relationship ethnic greek identity greek orthodox religion continued creation modern greek nation state according second article greek constitution greek defined native christian resident kingdom greece clause removed century later treaty signed greece turkey countries agreed use religion ethnic identity purposes population exchange greeks displaced million total million driven time agreement signed greek genocide particular harsh removal greeks southern shore area black_sea contemporaneous following failed greek asia minor campaign process ottoman_empire placement economy trade largely greek hands ethnic turkish control greeks today descended greek speaking groups ethnic greeks trace descent speaking speaking turkish speaking today greeks found world identity terms define varied history limited completely identified membership greek state western standards term greeks traditionally referred native speakers greek language byzantine modern greek byzantine greeks self identified romans greeks christians political heirs imperial rome descendants classical greek followers mid late byzantine period 11th 13th century growing number byzantine greek intellectuals deemed greek speakers meant pagan eve fall constantinople emperor urged soldiers remember descendants greeks romans establishment modern greek nation state link ancient modern greeks emphasized scholars greek enlightenment especially political constitution addresses nation people descendant greeks modern greek state created greeks liberated historic ottoman_empire large greek merchant class instrumental ideas western romantic nationalism conception formulated centuries byzantine_empire formed basis current conception greeks today nation meaning defined possessing greek culture having greek mother tongue citizenship race religion subjects particular state ancient medieval times lesser extent today greek term indicates common ancestry names centuries greeks greek speakers developed different names refer collectively term constitutes collective names greeks homer odyssey long haired civilization dominated greece circa common names appear aforementioned terms denote common greek identity historical period identified northern descendants earlier homer refers relatively small tribe settled warriors command chronicle says homeland given previously called greeks greek mythology patriarch ruled son survivors great greek philosopher aristotle names ancient area river location great land occupied greeks later came known tradition priests catalogue women presented son sister patriarch according chronicle king named aristotle notes related ancient modern obvious link modern ancient greeks language documented tradition 14th century present day albeit break greek dark ages lasting 11th 8th century scholars compare continuity tradition chinese inception primarily matter common culture national continuity greek world lot certain demographic embodied ancestral dimension aspects literature developed influenced ideas descent based later years eastern roman empire areas constantinople experienced revival language philosophy literature classical models thought scholarship revival provided powerful impetus sense cultural affinity ancient greece classical heritage history greeks retained language alphabet certain values cultural traditions customs sense religious cultural difference exclusion word 12th century historian anna describe non greek speakers sense greek identity common sense ethnicity despite socio political changes past recent studies ancient modern greek samples analyzed demonstrating genetic affinity continuity shared groups demographics today greeks majority ethnic group republic constitute country population republic cyprus island population excluding turkish settlers occupied country greek populations traditionally exhibited high rates growth large percentage greek population growth greece foundation attributed annexation new territories influx million greek refugees population exchange greece turkey population greece urban concentrated city athens greeks cyprus similar history emigration usually english speaking world island colonization british_empire waves emigration followed turkish invasion cyprus population decreased result emigration war losses temporary decline fertility ethnic greek population island increase number greek leaving especially middle_east contributed decrease population tapered 1990s today thirds greek population cyprus urban greek minority approximately people albania greek minority turkey numbered upwards people exchange thousand constantinople state sponsored violence discrimination effectively ended entirely thousand year old presence asia minor smaller greek minorities rest balkan countries levant black_sea states remnants old greek century total number greeks living outside greece cyprus today contentious issue census figures available million greeks outside greece cyprus estimates provided world council abroad figure million worldwide according george university number closer million integration loss greek language influence self identification important centres new greek today london new_york melbourne toronto parliament introduced law enables greeks greece vote elections greek state law later repealed early ancient ancient times trading activities greek tribes city states spread greek culture religion language mediterranean black_sea basins especially sicily southern italy known spain south france black_sea coasts alexander great empire successor states greek ruling classes established middle_east india egypt period characterized new wave greek colonization established greek cities kingdoms asia africa roman empire easier movement people spread greeks empire eastern territories greek latin modern day community southern italy numbering represent living remnant ancient greek populations italy modern greek war independence greeks important establishing fledgling state raising funds awareness abroad greek merchant families contacts countries disturbances set home mediterranean notably france italy alexandria egypt russia saint_petersburg britain london liverpool traded typically grain businesses frequently comprised extended family brought schools teaching greek greek orthodox church markets changed established families grew operations financed local greek community notably aid brothers economic success expanded levant north_africa india usa 20th century greeks left traditional economic reasons resulting large greece cyprus united_states great_britain australia canada germany south_africa especially second world war greek civil war turkish invasion cyprus official figures remain scarce polls evidence point renewed greek emigration result greek financial crisis according data published federal statistical office germany greeks emigrated germany significant increase previous year comparison greeks emigrated germany culture greek culture evolved thousands years beginning civilization continuing classical era period roman byzantine periods profoundly affected christianity turn influenced shaped ottoman greeks endure centuries culminated genocide 20th century credited greek culture giving birth synthesis ancient medieval elements characterize today language greeks speak greek language european language forms branch closest relations armenian armenian iranian languages longest documented histories language greek literature continuous history years notable literary works including elements new testament originally written greek greek demonstrates linguistic features shared balkan languages bulgarian eastern romance languages balkan absorbed foreign words primarily western european turkish origin movements 19th century emphasized modern greeks ancient heritage foreign influences excluded official use creation somewhat artificial form greek foreign influence words official language greek state parliament voted spoken official language making obsolete modern greek addition standard modern greek wide variety varying levels mutual including surviving representative ancient greek language survives small communities greece new_york israel addition greek greeks greece bilingual languages english slavic russian turkish religion greeks christians belonging greek orthodox church centuries jesus christ new testament originally written greek remains language greek orthodox church early christians church fathers greek speaking small groups ethnic greeks christian denominations like greek catholics greek groups religions including jews greek muslims greeks members congregations greek speaking muslims live mainly outside greece contemporary era christian muslim greek speaking communities lebanon syria region turkey large community size spared population exchange religious affiliation arts greek art long varied history greeks contributed visual literary performing arts west classical greek art influential shaping roman later modern western artistic heritage following renaissance europe aesthetic high technical standards greek art inspired generations european artists 19th century classical tradition derived greece played important role art western world east alexander great conquests initiated centuries exchange greek central asian indian cultures resulting buddhist art influence reached far japan byzantine greek art grew classical art adapted pagan motifs service christianity provided art nations influences traced venice west east turn greek art influenced eastern egypt persia etc periods history notable modern greek artists include renaissance painter constantine conductor soprano maria composers best selling singers worldwide poets constantine nobel important poets 20th century novel represented notable greek actors include ellie academy_award winner horn michael important directors science greeks classical era notable contributions science helped lay foundations western scientific traditions like philosophy historiography mathematics scholarly tradition greek maintained roman times academic institutions constantinople alexandria centres greek learning eastern roman byzantine science essentially continuation classical science greeks long tradition investing education highest societal values greek world european institution described university founded 5th century constantinople operated incarnations city fall ottomans university constantinople christian europe secular institution higher learning theological subjects taught considering original meaning world university corporation students world university greece eighth highest percentage enrollment world female students higher male greeks equally active field education hundreds thousands greek students attend western universities year faculty lists leading western universities contain striking number greek names notable modern greek scientists modern times include inventor test nicholas michael john john prize contributions physics charm major contribution birth standard model modern theory elementary particles joseph award nobel prize computer science prize prize prize symbols widely symbol flag greece features equal horizontal stripes blue alternating white representing syllables greek national motto freedom death motto greek war independence blue square upper corner bears white cross represents greek greek flag widely greek cyprus officially adopted neutral flag ease ethnic tensions turkish minority flag cyprus flag greece features greek cross blue background widely alternative official flag flown national emblem greece features blue white cross surrounded laurel branches common design involves current flag greece flag greece crossed national emblem placed highly recognizable popular greek symbol double headed eagle imperial emblem dynasty roman empire common symbol asia minor later eastern_europe modern greek flag coat arms officially insignia greek army flag church greece incorporated greek coat arms greek widely use 9th century ancient tradition father greek commonly commonly greek male end common ending greek masculine proper case exceptionally end indicating case proper reasons mainland greece static today dynamic changing usage survives middle names father commonly middle usage having passed russians cyprus contrast follow ancient tradition given according father finally addition greek derived latin turkish italian origin respect personal names main influences christianity classical ancient greek forgotten widely bestowed 18th century onwards sea traditional greek greek peninsula sea southern italy black_sea coasts asia minor islands cyprus sicily remarks greeks live sea like frogs pond describing friends greek cities image attested map old greek corresponded greek world creation greek state sea trade natural outlets greeks greek peninsula rocky offer good prospects agriculture notable greek include people sailed 6th century merchant later monk sailed india explorer northwestern passage known juan later times byzantine greeks sea lanes mediterranean controlled trade imposed byzantine emperor trade opened door later italian pre trade greek shipping tradition recovered ottoman rule substantial merchant middle class developed played important greek war independence today greek shipping continues extent greece largest merchant fleet world ships greek ownership fly flags convenience notable shipping magnate 20th century aristotle george physical appearance study prediction hair eye colour dna greek people showed self reported frequencies according hair eye colour categories follows individuals hair colour blond dark blond light brown dark brown brown red auburn black hair eye colour blue intermediate green brown eye colour study included dental school students university athens results study showed light hair colour blonde light ash brown predominant students medium hair colour light brown medium brown brown black black midnight black conclusion hair colour young greeks brown ranging light dark brown significant minorities having black blonde hair study showed eye colour students blue green medium light brown dark brown timeline history greek people closely associated history greece cyprus constantinople asia minor black_sea ottoman rule greece number greek mediterranean cut core notably southern italy syria egypt early 20th century half overall greek speaking population settled asia minor turkey later century huge wave migration united_states australia canada created modern greek


people approximately percent people second largest ethnic group madagascar occupy large stretch eastern madagascar south north long history extensive interaction european traders produced significant mixed european origins termed european influence evident local musical genres typically performed spirit possession ceremonies feature strongly culture late 17th century clans eastern governed typically ruled villages named emerged unite clans rule reign lasted years established sense common identity stability kingdom successors gradually weakened union leaving vulnerable growing influence presence european particularly french settlers slave traders missionaries merchants fractured kingdom easily king ruled capital central highlands 19th century left population relatively impoverished colonization french focused effort increase access education paid employment working french plantations production plantation crops like oil coffee remain principal economic activity region farming fishing mining source income culturally divided northern southern sub groups elements culture common groups including respect ancestors spirit possession ritual sacrifice social structure groups distinguished linguistic sub certain funeral practices customs practice believe wide range supernatural forces revolve common territory ethnic identity constitute approximately percent population madagascar numbered sub set population partly european origins resulting generations local population european pirates sailors traders docked settled eastern coast like west composed numerous ethnic sub groups formed confederation early 18th century mixed african asian descent occupy long narrow band territory stretches east_coast madagascar south north including island main port major towns est subdivided northern southern separated sub clan called history beginning 18th century peoples constitute core organized numerous clans authority chiefs typically ruled villages bay north held comparatively official position leadership attested presence natural bays northern coastline port towns favored economic political development southern portion coastline contrast lacked areas suitable ports villagers areas surrounding ports exported rice cattle slaves goods nearby islands eastern ports strategic position regional trade attracted heaviest settlement europeans portion island particularly including british american pirates numbers dramatically increased coast modern day north east european pirates daughters local chiefs produced large mixed population termed began uniting series powerful leaders chief elected leader initiated invasions northern ports according oral histories established armed militia sent incursions burn neighboring villages local tombs women children contributing reputation cruel unpopular leader northern named born daughter local british pirate named tom briefly traveled father england india led resistance invasions successfully united cause despite young age captured causing flee red fields clay stuck feet earning new red earth elected king given new lord served capital gave northern unity face enemies negotiated peace offering king control port settlement fell apart months leading recapture force king flee south established alliances southern neighboring extending authority areas allowing local chiefs maintain power offering tribute rice cattle slaves powerful kings madagascar time death moderate rule provided nearly years unity diverse clans political union allied powerful kingdom time west_coast marriage daughter king son succeeded leader launched series attacks villages authority assassinated subjects succeeded son continuing father practice attacking villages control french slave traders reign eastern european named established settlement country proclaimed king madagascar local longer pay tribute action provoked soldiers invaded area punish inhabitants kill ultimately unsuccessful goal son succeeded father death european accounts insisting provide gifts insulting europeans refused meet demands subjects deposed assistance governor general administered french island territories eventually assassinated subjects decades following death french established control marie established trading ports territory french envoy named effectively economic control port city nominally governed uncle dispute male relatives control city led political unity weakening ability unite increasing foreign lost power following year jean maintained close cooperation french kingdom island center rapidly expanding late 18th century king led army soldiers successfully capture jean given military campaign arrived europeans expelled developed cooperation develop diplomatic economic relations french past decade british missionaries homeland central highlands area effectively garrisons established ports interior resented domination receiving assistance french hoped mounted unsuccessful rebellion presence authority kingdom grew local farmers migrated areas outside control sought employment european settlers plantations afforded protection remnants ruling line eliminated queen ordered nobles undergo deadly trial ordeal reign cultural practices associated europeans forbidden including christianity western musical instruments eventually europeans expelled island duration reign son lifted restrictions gradually european presence emerged territory french established plantations growing export crops like coffee tea growing number colonists turn 19th century europeans 1860s onward created competition use ports traditionally control extent local population prohibited trading maximize profits europeans severe economic coupled heavy unpaid labor lieu taxes severely undermined prosperity local population resisted refusing grow surplus crops outside traders fled settled life ancestral villages refuge forest order live outside authority formed groups plundered trading parties east_coast mounted occasional raids territory groups periodically attacked settlers european missionaries government outposts churches french madagascar initial satisfaction fall government rapidly evolved displeasure french control led uprising year particularly including long living according law eastern movement extended broader population mounted strong resistance french rule efforts eventually subdued regaining control french colonial authority took steps address repercussions historical kingdom providing increased access basic education opportunities paid labor plantations land french authorities forced local inhabitants relinquish colonists nationwide uprising french colonial rule initiated town territory neighboring conflict nationalists fought french soldiers unsuccessful attempt regain control port island important trading port fighters civilians suffered heavy losses worst human rights abuses including execution thrown alive country gained independence led second republic admiral elected president led country republic forced power following contested presidential election followers businessman opposition leader remains influential controversial political figure madagascar nephew likewise significant political figure having run president serving mayor country main commercial port society inhabit eastern coast historic capital kingdom located social life revolves agricultural year preparation fields beginning october harvest rice winter months june september set aside ancestor worship major rituals customs clear gender divisions traveling foot mixed gender group forbidden women walk men women traditionally ones act carrying light items head heavy items woman present considered ridiculous man carry eating men use single fill plates communal bowl eat food plates women required use separate fill plates eat men generally responsible rice fields obtaining food gathering building family home furniture engage discussion debate public affairs women tasks include growing crops rice fields harvesting processing rice water lighting fire preparing daily meals weaving religious affiliation religious rites customs traditionally presided communities widely believe supernatural creatures including ghosts imp like efforts local population began early 1800s largely unsuccessful colonial period influence christianity local population grew practiced blended traditional ancestor worship culture differences northern southern major aspects culture similar major customs include birth tenth child ritual sacrifice ancestors celebrating inauguration newly constructed house marriage death birth new year independence day celebrated practice ritual spirit possession widespread men women act spectators events indigenous plant base fiber clothing traditionally worn leaves plant separate fibers end end form strands woven form cloth peoples united confederation women wore short typically men wore traditional clothing worn today hold high regard tell legends come aid prominent figures according story saved life ancestor grave tale group sought refuge forest enemy group enemies followed forest tracking believed sound voices reaching source sound discovered group looking believing transformed animals magic fled area terror spirits ancestors believed reside inside bodies consequently general forbidden kill eat free trapped bury dead rites person viewed reverence fear river banks known gather uncommon villagers throw favored cut offerings daily basis protection commonly worn thrown water areas animals commonly believed closely linked capable ordering kill walking attacked believe feeding rice night accused walking villages midnight married bidding considered brother shake hands sister young men wear shoes father lifetime considered sacred forbidden touch fish eat coastal communities consumption pork universal common pigs villages complex rites associated woman birth special house called leaves eats waste produced newborn kept special seven days point burned ash produced forehead mother baby worn seven days fifteenth day water lime lemon leaves soaked ritual called bath leaves community drink celebrate wrestling matches mother stay allowed consume chicken specially prepared celebration required leave return routine life like ethnic groups speaking chief death word formed deceased leader given new death required use specific synonyms selected replace words composing use regular conversation spoke forbidden words harshly punished instances executed funeral rites principally living practice ceremony simpler form practiced highlands placed tombs southern north placed outdoor shelters mourning women hair stop wearing men longer wear hat mourning period typically lasts months depending closely related individual deceased dance music ceremonial dance music style closely associated called performed traditional performed ceremonies uses rhythm lyrics sung local dialect accompanying dance performed arms sides body heavy foot movements contemporary popularized island performed modern drum kit electric guitar bass keyboard accompaniment associated dance style influenced dances performed sega music reunion island performed style performed significantly slowly major musical style specific region interpretations traditional european performed genre performed ceremonies language speak language branch language group derived languages spoken southern borneo economy economy remains largely agricultural rice sweet potatoes beans variety commonly cultivated staple crops include sugar cane coffee cattle widely raised commonly catch sell river crabs shrimp fish small local insects wild birds forest produce sell beer production use remains major economic activity located gold precious stones mined exported region


jews jews hebrew israeli pronunciation known jewish people group originating ancient near east jewish ethnicity religion strongly judaism traditional faith jewish nation varies strict complete jews originated national religious group middle_east second millennium bce levant known land israel appears confirm existence people israel associated god far 13th century bce late bronze age population consolidated hold emergence kingdom israel kingdom consider incoming nomadic groups known sources bible mention periods detail experience life ancient egyptian rule levant captivity exile captivity exile imperial rule roman occupation historical relations homeland major feature jewish history identity memory worldwide jewish population reached peak million prior world war approximately million jews systematically murdered holocaust population slowly risen estimated million jewish total world population roughly people according report jews reside israel million united_states million remainder living europe million canada million numbers include self identified jews socio demographic study identified household exact world jewish population difficult measure addition issues census disputes proponents secular political ancestral identification factors jew affect figure considerably depending source israel country jews form majority population modern state israel established jewish state defines declaration independence basic laws law return grants right citizenship jew requests despite small percentage world population jews significantly influenced contributed human progress fields including philosophy ethics literature business fine arts architecture music theatre cinema medicine science technology historically modern times etymology english word jew continues middle english terms derive old french earlier dropped letter medieval latin like new testament greek term meant jews greek term originally loan corresponding hebrew origin term member tribe people kingdom according hebrew bible tribe kingdom derive fourth son jacob hebrew word jew pronounced stress final israeli hebrew basic form equivalent use languages arabic german portuguese french danish norwegian spanish dutch etc word hebrew use describe jew italian persian persian russian german word pronounced corresponding jewish origin word jewish overview according american heritage dictionary english language fourth edition widely recognized use jew phrases jew lawyer jew ethics vulgar highly offensive contexts jewish acceptable possibility people wary construction extended stigma use jew practice carries risks sentence jews council like jewish people persons jewish background cause offense imply jew negative origins according hebrew bible narrative jewish ancestry traced biblical jacob biblical sarah rachel lived 18th century bce jacob family migrated ancient egypt invited live jacob son joseph descendants later enslaved exodus led moses traditionally dated 13th century bce conquered modern largely discarded exodus story inspiring national myth narrative culture according modern archaeological account overtake region force instead branched peoples culture development distinct later religion centered ancient deities growth centric belief number practices gradually gave rise distinct ethnic group setting apart attested middle bronze age hebrew language extant member languages iron age period bce culture largely nature divided tribes jews traditionally said descend tribes jews derive benjamin partially tribe formed ancient kingdom remnants northern kingdom israel migrated kingdom bce kingdom israel conquered neo empire enjoyed political independence twice ancient history periods biblical judges followed united monarchy fall united monarchy land divided israel term jew originated roman denoted southern kingdom shift jews contained explicit book 4th century bce book section jewish king neo empire besieged jerusalem destroyed temple deported prominent citizens ceased independent kingdom remaining jews left exile ended bce empire conquered cyrus great allowed exiled jews return rebuild temple second temple completed bce province peaceful empire fall empire bce alexander great jews politically independent dynasty spanning bce degree dynasty bce destruction second temple jews lived ethnic minority country live israel frequently experienced persecution history resulting population fluctuated numbers distribution centuries genetic studies jews jews worldwide bear common genetic heritage originates middle_east bear strongest resemblance peoples fertile crescent genetic composition different jewish groups shows jews share common genetic pool dating years marker common ancestral origin despite long term separation jews maintained common culture tradition language judaism jewish people religion judaism strongly converts judaism typically status jewish equal born conversion encouraged mainstream judaism considered difficult task significant portion conversions undertaken children mixed marriages current jews hebrew bible religious interpretation traditions early national history jews established religions practiced world judaism guides adherents practice belief called religion way life drawing clear distinction judaism jewish culture jewish identity difficult history eras places diverse ancient world europe age enlightenment islamic spain portugal north_africa middle_east india china contemporary united_states israel cultural phenomena developed sense jewish specifically religious factors come judaism interaction jews specific communities jews surroundings inner social cultural dynamics community opposed religion phenomenon led considerably different jewish cultures unique communities rome destruction second temple judaism lost nature significant remained centered alexandria time largest urban jewish community world force land israel long period time generally scholars view judaism having influenced temple greek speaking jews longer looked jerusalem way judaism separated greek hebrew sphere theology religious texts community different judaism developed study oral law judaism centered land israel entirely ignores writings judaism eventually disappeared practitioners roman culture leaving strong eastern large centers learning century jewish community jews migrated conquest bar revolt held growing population estimated million jews increased estimated million years natural growth immigration jews land israel making sixth world jewish population era 13th century author bar gave figure jews roman world baron considered figure convincing figure seven million million outside roman world mid century widely accepted including louis contemporary scholars accept bar based figure census total roman citizens figure recorded louis previously active supporter figure states baron mistaken views active jewish changed viewing classical judaism receptive converts especially second century bce century points lack tracts records names sought converts evidence lack active jewish maintains conversion judaism common jewish population large land israel historians believe conversion roman era limited number account jewish population growth factors male conversion judaism roman world mid second century factor conversion difficult roman world requirement requirement christianity quickly dropped tax imposed jews relaxed exclude christians limited judaism appeal jew judaism shares characteristics nation ethnicity religion culture making definition jew vary slightly depending religious national approach identity generally modern secular usage jews include groups people born jewish family regardless follow religion jewish ancestral background lineage including strictly descent people jewish ancestral background lineage formally converted judaism followers religion historical definitions jewish identity traditionally based definitions descent conversions historical definitions jew date oral interpretations sections jewish warning jews non jewish husband cause child turn away worship gods idols says son marriage hebrew woman egyptian man community israel complemented returning aside wives children anti religious movement late 18th 19th centuries interpretations jewish identity challenged according historian status offspring mixed marriages determined bible brings likely explanations change times applying logic mixed marriages applied mixed marriage forbidden union horse unions offspring judged second influenced roman law dictated parent contract legal marriage offspring follow mother ethnic divisions world jewish population distinct ethnic divisions primarily result geographic branching originating population subsequent independent array jewish communities established jewish settlers places old world great distances resulting effective long term isolation jewish communities develop influence local environments political cultural natural today differences jews observed jewish cultural expressions community including jewish linguistic diversity preferences practices religious interpretations degrees sources genetic jews identified belonging major groups meaning germany hebrew named denoting german jewish cultural geographical origins meaning spain hebrew named denoting spanish portuguese jewish cultural geographic origins common term israel broadly called lit east hebrew reference diverse collection middle eastern north african jews group referred collectively proper reasons jewish groups jews proper distinct smaller groups include restricted indian jews israel jews greece italian jews african jews including beta israel chinese jews notably jews distinct extinct communities divisions groups approximate boundaries clear example collection north african central asian middle eastern jewish communities closer related earlier mentioned jewish groups modern usage termed similar styles despite independent development proper egyptian jews iraqi jews jews jews jews syrian jews jews mountain jews georgian jews iranian jews included style unique differ respect found found addition migrants established middle_east north_africa expulsion jews spain portugal pre existing jewish communities regions jews represent bulk modern jews worldwide prior world war holocaust result emigration europe represent overwhelming majority jews new world continents countries united_states canada argentina australia brazil france immigration jews algeria led israel jewish population representative groups melting pot independent group proportion overall world jewish population languages hebrew language judaism termed holy tongue language hebrew scriptures composed daily speech jewish people centuries 5th century bce closely related tongue joined hebrew spoken language 3rd century bce jews speaking greek jewish communities speaking hebrew languages languages jews israel time centuries jews worldwide spoken local dominant languages regions migrated developing distinctive forms branches independent languages german language developed jews migrated central europe spanish language developed jews migrated peninsula factors including impact holocaust european jewish exodus arab muslim countries widespread emigration jewish communities world ancient distinct jewish languages communities including georgian arabic largely fallen use sixteen centuries hebrew exclusively language language books written judaism speaking hebrew hebrew revived spoken language ben arrived palestine mother tongue times modern hebrew official languages state israel modern standard arabic despite efforts revive hebrew national language jewish people knowledge language commonly possessed jews worldwide english emerged jewish jews sufficient knowledge hebrew study classic literature jewish languages like commonly recently early 20th century jews lack knowledge today english large superseded jewish commonly spoken languages jews today hebrew english russian romance languages particularly french spanish widely spoken jews history language far today following holocaust adoption modern hebrew movement state israel places mother language jewish community differs general population dominant group example quebec majority adopted english minority uses french primary language similarly south african jews adopted english soviet policies russian superseded language russian jews policies affected neighboring communities today russian language jewish communities number post soviet states ukraine jews georgia communities north_africa today small jews shifted group nearly speaking french algeria morocco city north continue use arabic mother tongue genetic studies dna studies tend imply small number founders old population members parted followed different migration paths jewish populations male line ancestors appear mainly middle eastern example jews share common paternal jewish middle eastern groups non jewish populations areas jews lived eastern_europe germany french rhine valley consistent jewish traditions placing jewish paternal origins region middle_east conversely maternal jewish populations studied looking mitochondrial dna generally scholars harry believe indicates jewish males found new mates european communities places migrated fleeing ancient israel contrast found evidence jews originate female founders middle eastern origin populations jewish communities showed evidence narrow founder effect subsequent studies carried confirmed large portion non local maternal origin jews reflecting findings related maternal origin jews authors conclude clearly differences jews non jews far larger observed jewish communities differences jewish communities overlooked non jews included comparisons studies dna look entire dna mixture increasingly important technology develops jewish populations tended form relatively closely related groups independent communities community sharing significant ancestry common jewish populations genetic composition jewish populations predominant shared middle eastern ancestry according explanation shared middle eastern ancestry consistent historical jewish people descending ancient hebrew residents levant people ancient israel old world north african italian origin variable frequencies non jewish historical host populations maternal lines case jews particular jews closely related source non jewish mainly southern european jews evidence middle eastern populations sub remarked especially close relationship jews modern italians jews found closely related groups north fertile crescent turks arabs studies descendants forced converts catholicism estimated modern america estimated modern america jewish origins centuries israel jews india beta israel portion people southern africa despite closely resembling local populations native countries remote ancient jewish descent demographics population centers according israel central bureau statistics jews worldwide roughly world population time according estimates jewish people policy planning institute world jewish population million cites figures ranging million statistics incorporate practicing jews affiliated jewish community approximately million secular jews according jewish population million jews israel million united_states million rest world israel israel jewish nation state country jews majority citizens israel established independent democratic jewish state members parliament members arab citizens israel including representing arab political parties israel supreme_court judges arab citizen israel jewish population rose million currently jews account israeli population million people early years state israel marked mass immigration holocaust survivors aftermath holocaust jews fleeing arab lands israel large population jews israel late 1980s early 1990s nearly immigrants arrived israel half soviet_union period saw increase immigration israel western_europe latin_america north_america immigrants communities arrived including indian jews descendants holocaust survivors settled countries united_states argentina australia chile south_africa jews emigrated israel economic problems political conditions continuing arab israeli conflict jewish israeli known outside israel waves immigration united_states turn 19th century founding later events including russia massacre european holocaust founding state israel subsequent jewish exodus arab lands resulted substantial shifts population centers world end 20th century half jews live population table currently largest jewish community outside israel largest second largest jewish community world located united_states million million jews estimates americas large jewish populations canada argentina brazil smaller populations mexico venezuela chile colombia countries history jews latin_america disagree united_states larger jewish population israel maintaining israel surpassed united_states jewish population 2000s maintain united_states largest jewish population world currently major national jewish population survey planned israel overtaken united_states jewish population western_europe largest jewish community largest jewish community world found france home jews majority immigrants refugees north african arab countries algeria morocco tunisia descendants united_kingdom jewish community eastern_europe million jews living soviet_union exact figures difficult establish germany jews registered jewish community slowly declining population despite immigration tens thousands jews soviet_union fall berlin wall thousands live germany permanently temporarily economic reasons prior approximately jews living lands arab world excluding israel thirds lived french controlled region kingdom iraq approximately kingdom egypt approximately kingdom lived iran republic turkey today jews live arab countries iran turkey small scale exodus begun countries early decades 20th century substantial came syria exodus arab muslim countries took place primarily large scale took place late 1940s early 1950s primarily iraq libya communities leaving years peak exodus egypt occurred exodus countries peaked 1960s lebanon arab country temporary increase jewish population period influx refugees arab countries mid-1970s jewish community lebanon aftermath exodus wave arab states additional migration iranian jews peaked 1980s iranian jews left country outside europe americas middle_east rest asia significant jewish populations australia south_africa strong community new_zealand demographic changes time ancient greeks proportion jews wider non jewish society choice force practice judaism losing jewish identity took place areas time periods jewish communities example jews china disappearing entirely advent jewish enlightenment 18th century subsequent emancipation jewish populations europe america 19th century accelerated situation encouraging jews increasingly participate secular society result growing trend jews marry non jewish stop participating jewish community rates marriage vary widely united_states united_kingdom france australia mexico low united_states children affiliate jewish religious practice result countries steady slightly declining jewish populations jews continue countries live war persecution jewish people judaism experienced jewish history late antiquity early middle ages roman empire later phases known byzantine_empire repeatedly jewish population pagan roman era later officially establishing second class citizens christian roman era according james jews accounted total population roman empire ratio factors intervened million jews world today instead like million later medieval western_europe jews christians occurred notably jews germany series kingdom england germany france largest expulsion spain portugal catholic peninsula jews ruling muslim expelled papal states existed jews required live specified neighborhoods called islam judaism complex relationship traditionally jews christians living muslim lands known allowed practice religions administer internal affairs subject certain conditions pay capita tax imposed free adult non muslim males islamic state inferior status islamic rule social legal disabilities bearing arms giving testimony courts cases involving muslims disabilities highly symbolic described bernard lewis requirement distinctive clothing found invented early medieval baghdad enforcement highly erratic hand jews rarely faced exile forced change religion free choice residence profession notable exceptions include massacre jews conversion jews rulers dynasty 12th century islamic persia forced confinement jews walled quarters known beginning 15th century especially early 19th century modern times commonplace standard themes anti publications islamic movements agencies islamic republic iran newspapers publications turkish history rulers nations oppressed jewish populations sought eliminate entirely methods employed ranged expulsion outright genocide nations threat extreme methods sufficient silence dissent history includes crusade resulted massacre jews spanish led portuguese persecution new christians jews ukraine backed russian spain portugal england france germany countries jews settled according study published american journal human modern population jewish ancestry indicating number higher originally thought persecution reached peak nazi_germany final solution led holocaust slaughter approximately million jews world million jews killed holocaust holocaust state led systematic persecution genocide european jews certain communities north african jews european controlled north_africa minority groups europe world war germany collaborators remains notable modern day persecution jews persecution genocide accomplished stages legislation remove jews civil society enacted years outbreak world war concentration camps established inmates slave labour died exhaustion disease conquered new territory eastern_europe specialized units called murdered jews political opponents mass jews transported hundreds miles freight train camps survived journey majority killed gas chambers virtually arm germany bureaucracy involved logistics mass murder turning country holocaust scholar called nation jewish history jews repeatedly directly indirectly expelled original homeland land israel areas settled experience refugees shaped jewish identity religious practice ways major element jewish history incomplete list major noteworthy follows includes numerous instances expulsion departure mythical patriarch described land attempt life king children israel biblical story uncertain undertook exodus meaning departure exit greek ancient egypt recorded book exodus policy displace conquered peoples estimated captive populations suffered centuries rule regard israel iii claims deported population lower people population kingdom israel described deported replaced deported populations sent permanent exile initially upper provinces empire people kingdom exiled returned cyrus great persian empire exiled roman empire year jewish beginning roman empire jews spread roman world driven land land settled live freely practice religion course center jewish life moved peninsula poland united_states result israel middle ages enlightenment europe including jews expelled england statute france thousands expelled austria jews settled eastern_europe especially poland following spanish spanish population jews expelled spanish crown catholic_church followed sicily jews portugal expelled jews fled mainly ottoman_empire netherlands north_africa migrating southern europe middle_east 19th century france policies equal citizenship regardless religion led immigration jews especially eastern central europe arrival millions jews new world including immigration million eastern european jews united_states history jews united_states history jews russia soviet_union eastern_europe rise modern holocaust rise arab nationalism served fuel movements huge segments land land continent continent arrived large numbers original historical homeland israel islamic revolution iran caused iranian jews flee iran found refuge particularly los_angeles israel smaller communities persian jews exist canada western_europe soviet_union collapsed jews affected territory suddenly allowed leave produced wave migration israel early 1990s growth israel country jewish population consistently growing natural population growth jewish populations countries europe north_america recently increased immigration country jewish population general declining steady orthodox jewish communities members birth control religious reasons experienced rapid population growth orthodox conservative judaism discourage non jews jewish groups tried reach jewish communities order jewish roots additionally principle reform judaism favors seeking new members faith position translated active instead taking form effort reach non jewish couples trend orthodox movements pursuing secular jews order stronger jewish identity chance result efforts jewish groups past years trend known movement secular jews demographic implications trend unknown additionally growing rate conversion jews choice decision head direction jews leadership single governing body jewish community single authority responsibility religious doctrine instead variety secular religious institutions local national international levels lead parts jewish community variety issues notable individuals jews contributions humanity broad diverse range fields including sciences arts politics business jews comprise world population nobel prize jewish multiple winners category


people commonly known collective members cultural minority found philippines distinguished cultural heritage particularly literature language dress religious came public attention cultural practices subject intense speculation local journalists amateur historians diverse claims status people unique language writing system particular source fascination controversy journalists argued historically displaced middle_east suggested community cult speaking invented language according mythology language script created divine inspiration ancestor based human body suppressed spanish colonists language said resurfaced leadership veteran republican army historical existence confirmed recent studies combined linguistic analysis oral history research provide evidence language likely created generation charismatic individual today officially classified indigenous cultural community indigenous peoples rights act republic act number reports suggested linguistic cultural education steady decline mid-1980s promising efforts documented area members community inhabit mountainous area intersects municipalities sierra forested region southeast interior original settlement established second township municipality founded baja accordance directions significant populations found nearby community awarded certificate ancestral domain claim president official census population report estimates families living language script speak dialect daily life language languages spoken members tribe variety close interactions conversations neighbors community transactions school meetings social gatherings church rituals trade commerce better known auxiliary language known prayers songs formal speeches shows clear relationship known language considered strong inconsistent spanish influence striking feature language unusual writing system takes form characters modeled parts human body including internal organs unique script compared variously hebrew script mother tongue speakers taught adults children volunteer run cultural schools language script object ongoing controversy religion direction group converted nascent philippine independent church community members entity santo addition weekly church services served appointed spiritual leaders known bishop responsible performing harvest ceremonies rituals house blessing house constructed ritual performed spiritual leader asks permission spirits permission granted builder select new site retain spiritual traditions widespread lowland rural communities society teaching volunteer schools remaining cultural practices community men wear shirts chinese style collar black cotton women wore dresses similar spanish influenced style covered hair cotton habits traditionally women permitted cut hair short wear trousers drinking dancing universally prohibited customs discontinued traditional dress worn sundays special occasions weddings parents bride offer couple glass water water run hair bride groom rice couple plenty recently practised form communal farming portion land benefit community literature mythology literature dictated words recorded personal texts comprise local oral history regional folklore referred journalists old books oral literature written reported spanish stories fundamental community understanding particularly origins belief systems practices legend tells group arrived sumatra leader children settled near moving east legends stories kings heroes stories reference actual historical figures jesus christ ferdinand francisco cultural education students texts lined textbooks schools writings mentioned researchers follows identical texts different names larger texts smaller ones curator museum mentioned folded book knowledge written spanish existence established history known people living vicinity southeast highlands prior world war early 1980s came wider public attention government agricultural advisers toured province introduce green revolution policies local journalists researchers suggested theories origins broad consensus subject far documented evidence concerned predecessors living communities today originally came town western coast reported arrived site present day turn nineteenth century philippine independent church established wrote letter president resistance hero col records meeting project document history community language presently undertaken australian national university theories controversies community object ongoing controversy particularly regards status indigenous group classification language intense speculation 1980s 1990s journalists lay historians generated number theories continue elaborated resolution argued variously remnant original indigenous settlers migrated sumatra seventh century descendants resistance groups fought francisco cult secret society conscious reconstruction imagined pre colonial society unusual proposals people semitic christian tribe possess lost book descended builders king solomon temple existence proves second guard secrets likewise speech variety associated languages disparate hebrew greek recent studies revealed virtually identical lending weight theory actually auxiliary variety language film project article written manila standard today march actor mentioned interested producing feature film following month announced working title project quick brown fox discussed casting preferences included possibility list hollywood actors like tom cruise lead role story concerns wealthy influential american implicated crime prove innocence tracks witness crime forests encounters tribe beach resort beach resort named tribe called beach resort spa additional reading piers kelly word rebel language script philippines created suppressed recovered contested australian journal piers kelly created language philippines folk linguistic effects limits 42nd australian linguistic society conference proceedings canberra edited bowler canberra research resource regina voice women piers kelly classification language research report submitted national commission indigenous peoples philippines july piers kelly secondary source materials survey review produced national commission indigenous peoples philippines script philippine leaf january silver strip philippine leaf october strange value zero chronicle october milan language heart edited manila national commission culture arts promoting sustainable development news june bilingual tribe unpublished thesis university san city


people people erroneously spelled pronounced certain europeans difficulty making sound indigenous linguistic cultural people southern nigeria geographically homeland divided unequal sections river eastern larger western section culturally river provided easy means communication unity natives sides promoted ancient trade movement peoples rest world known language identified respective culture shaped primarily climate historic trades ancient migration social ties neighbours far trading political allies europeans colonization entire western world speak includes languages homeland surrounded sides ethnic peoples southern central nigeria people largest ethnic groups africa rural nigeria people work farmers traders important crop celebrations place annually celebrate harvesting staple crops include highly largest cities metropolitan areas port british colonial rule politically fragmented group variations culture art styles attire religious practices organized clan lineage village affiliation dialect centralized hereditary aristocracy customs kingdoms political system changed significantly british early 20th century frederick introduced kings local communities warrant chiefs overwhelmingly christian colonization things fall apart popular novels depict culture changes mid-20th century people developed strong sense ethnic identity certain conflicts led densely populated eastern nigeria create independent state civil war war july january broke shortly defeat republic nigeria organization formed continues non violent struggle independent state effects migration atlantic slave trade descendant ethnic populations countries guinea outside africa exact population outside africa unknown today african americans descent according historians fifth president edward james descent identity people fragmented politically independent communities knowledge europeans exposure neighbouring ethnic groups strong identity people case ethnic groups british fellow europeans identified tribe scholars challenged negative possible wrong definition suggested defining people nation officially recognized physical state effects migration atlantic slave trade descendant historical populations countries guinea outside africa african americans believed partially descent common english known territory main settlement known history origin pottery dated bce showing similarities later work found pottery tools nearby traditions clan source valley 1970s divisions determined constitute linguistic cultural evidence kingdom people land creation myth creation myths exist parts land people territory clan trace king figure origins unclear described sky sent god characterized having given societal order people historian elizabeth says clan cluster village groups traces origins sky called archaeological evidence suggests far 9th century royal unearthed dating 10th century god like founder believed settled region related cultures following 13th century king followed directly according oral tradition reign started historian puts reign later king traces origin founding ancestor king ritual reproduction initiation rite new king shows ritual process priest king follows closely path traced hero establishing kingdom kingdom sort state developed central region seven types included human birth twins animal killing eating object temporal speech place rules educate govern subjects meant certain lived different formal administration followers religion rules faith obey representative earth traditional society traditional political organization based quasi democratic republican system government tight communities system guaranteed citizens equality opposed system king ruling subjects government system witnessed portuguese arrived met people 15th century exception notable towns kings called places like kingdom priest kings communities area governments overwhelmingly ruled solely republican assembly common people communities usually governed administered council elders title holders respected accomplishments capabilities revered kings performed special functions given assemblies way governing immensely different communities western africa shared form maintained law starts male line descent founding ancestor line named groups compounds containing closely related families headed eldest male member seen important pillar society mathematics indigenous society evident calendar banking system strategic betting game called indigenous calendar week days month consisted seven weeks months year month extra day added calendar indigenous villages towns determine market days settled law matters banking system loans savings called new year starting month moon occurs week february traditional start year communities june ceremonial script secret societies indigenous set symbols called originating neighboring people people produced early 9th century found town state system existed encounter europeans service areas described memoir describes conditions slaves community points difference treatment slaves custody europeans west_indies different condition slaves west_indies work members community master permitted eat free born scarce difference slaves slaves property use coast area contact african european traders years portuguese traders dutch finally british prior european contact trade routes stretched far continent slave trade slave trade took place 16th late 19th centuries huge effects young people taken warfare increased taking captives slaves taken bight known bight area included modern day southeastern nigeria western guinea parts northern major trade ports goods slaves area included town large number slaves bight slaves usually sold europeans confederacy kidnapped bought slaves villages slaves victims slave raiding wars expeditions people committed communities considered crimes slaves known british colonists rebellious having high rate suicide escape slavery unknown reasons evidence traders sought women contrary common belief european slave traders fairly informed african leading targeting certain ethnic groups plantation owners preferred particular desired ethnic groups consequently fairly concentrated certain parts americas dispersed colonies jamaica cuba saint barbados united_states belize trinidad elements culture found places example jamaican word meaning red red describes black person fair yellowish skin term originated reported prevalence skin tones eastern influences strictly word term barbados commonly enslaved word said derived language meaning place people origins barbados etymology section belize city named town inhabitants united_states imported commonly chesapeake_bay colonies states maryland virginia constituted largest group late 20th century wave immigrants english speaking settled maryland attracted strong professional job market colonial period 19th century british colonization effort present day nigeria increased encounters near river led deepening sense distinct ethnic identity proved decisive enthusiastic embrace christianity western education style government centralized system including appointment warrant chiefs required british indirect rule british colonial rule marked open conflicts tension british colonial rule diversity nigeria major ethnic groups slowly decreased large ethnic groups colonial rule transformed society portrayed novel things fall apart british rule brought changes culture introduction warrant chiefs indigenous rulers christian missionaries introduced aspects european ideology society culture parts culture rumours women assessed taxation sparked women war known riots massive revolt women encountered history aspects culture construction houses education religion changed following tradition building houses mud walls roofs ended people shifted materials cement blocks houses roofs roads vehicles built buildings hospitals schools erected parts changes electricity running water installed early 20th century electricity new technology radios adopted commonplace households war series ethnic clashes northern muslims ethnic groups eastern nigeria region living northern nigeria took place elements army assassinated military head state general johnson july peace negotiations failed military government deposed regional government eastern nigeria talks events led regional council peoples eastern nigeria deciding region republic general declaration head state new republic resultant war known civil war war lasted july january federal government absorbed nigeria million eastern died anti people killed struggle self determination people earned respect generation figures jean paul john_lennon returned british honor partly protest british nigeria war july president general renewed calls state sovereign entity alternative separate existence population equally recent history present war left devastated fighting completely destroyed hospitals schools homes addition loss savings people faced discrimination ethnic groups new non federal government started larger population war post war era people eastern nigeria changed names people places non sounding words instance town discrimination trouble finding employment early 1970s ethnic groups nigeria gradually rebuilt citizens contribution government period years economy prospered rise petroleum industry adjacent delta region led establishment new factories southern nigeria people eventually took government positions engaged private business early 21st century wave immigration african countries europe americas culture culture includes customs practices traditions people comprises archaic practices new concepts added culture evolution outside influences customs traditions include people visual art use language music dance forms attire cuisine language variety culture heightened language literature language john example justify classical linear model laid sound pattern english written roman script society fraternity longer widely existed 16th century died popular secret societies secret form communication language difficult huge number heavy language hundreds different languages languages ward led research expedition possibly basis standard dialect known central dialect included groups including dialect proposed dialect gradually accepted missionaries writers publishers cambridge_university interesting narrative life published london england written slave book featured words second chapter book illustrates aspects life based life hometown book books published include material der mission der den thomas und jan german history evangelical brothers mission caribbean islands thomas john published written german missionary book publish material popular renowned novel deals traditional life book things fall apart novel concerns influences british christian missionaries traditional community unspecified time late nineteenth early 20th century novel set villages lower performing arts people musical style incorporate percussion instruments essentially designed clay formed log hand bell designed forged iron instruments include wind instrument similar flute popular musical form widely popular musical genre west_africa fusion jazz traditional music modern seen works sir warrior oliver bright chief popular musicians 20th century common art styles linked strongly traditional music mask wood fabric materials including iron vegetation masks variety uses mainly social religious rituals secret society society public festivals include christmas time celebrations best known include maiden spirit masks northern represent spirits deceased mothers masks beauty impressive masks include northern masks feet high masks consist platforms feet diameter supporting figures coloured cloth representing everyday scenes objects masks honoring dead ensure continuity community seen rare occasions death prominent figure community dance styles dance best known dance troops performances include stunts high kicks rhythm indigenous instruments indicating movement dancer visual art architecture variety groups possible define general art style art known types masks outfits people animals abstract bronze found town 9th century constitute earliest sculptures discovered grave established man distinction ritual store dating 9th century contained chased copper objects elaborate bronze glass said originated egypt venice india popular art styles include designs majority use masks function masks vary community community art noted architecture houses large opened sided square planned shelters house life sized painted figures sculpted mud deity earth goddess deities thunder water sculptures officials foreigners mainly europeans animals legendary creatures ancestors houses years build regarded sacred process new ones constructed old ones left decay everyday houses mud roofs bare earth floors carved design doors houses elaborate designs interior exterior designs include art designed women unique structures culture town northern structures built clay mud base section height stack circular continued till reached structures temples god believed reside stick placed represent god residence structures laid groups parallel built clay mud like time taken toll requiring periodic reconstruction religion rites passage today majority people christian retain belief traditional religion half christians roman catholic small population jews claim descent ancient jewish traders married women claim based population shows gene original eve genes recent books use demonstrate hebrew language formed language religion traditions known religion supreme god called great spirit created world associated things earth believe divided complex parts creation known supernatural forces deities called spirits world supreme deity creator people believe things come earth heaven rest spiritual world control linguistic studies language suggests compound words spiritual great size individual born spiritual guide guardian angel guardian principle unique individual individual fate destiny determined siblings come mother people different alternatively known depending dialect minor deities served different purpose individual deity longer needed violent discarded traditionally believed people believed families alive relative dies said soon deceased relative clues family child born believed signs behavior physical traits statements child help detecting child considered insult male said female children allowed elders names considered sign respect children required greet elders seeing time day children usually add elder addressing death body prominent member society placed sitting posture clothed deceased finest animal sacrifices offered dead person burial usually follows hours death 21st century head home usually buried compound residence different types deaths warrant different types determined individual age gender status society example children buried hiding sight usually place early late nights simple untitled man buried house simple mother buried place origin garden farm area belonged father 21st century majority bury dead western way uncommon practiced traditional ways marriage process marrying usually involves asking young woman consent introducing woman man family man woman family testing bride character checking woman family background paying wealth marriages arranged birth negotiation families past men practiced family man wives children men married multiple wives economic reasons people family including children help farms christian civil marriages changed family colonization people tend enter create nuclear families mainly western influence western marriage customs weddings church place cultural traditional marriage attire traditionally attire generally consisted little clothing purpose clothing originally simply conceal private parts body art men women form lines forming patterns shapes body women traditionally carry babies backs strip clothing binding knot chest practice ethnic groups africa method modernized form child carrier usually wore short waist ornaments men women wore men wear wrapped round waist legs type clothing appropriate intense heat jobs farming narrative describes community principal luxury sort wood delicious kind earth small portion thrown fire powerful odor beat wood powder mix palm oil men women influential adapted dress customs clothing worn traditional worn cultural occasions modern traditional attire men generally resembles worn african groups usually patterned lions heads clothing plain colour worn trousers worn ceremonial title holders hat conventional striped men hat known women sleeve head tie worn cuisine important staple crop celebrations new festival held harvesting festival eaten communities celebration shown individuals sign success wealth rice replaced ceremonial occasions indigenous foods include included typical meal prepared vegetable word derives language pieces fish chicken beef goat meat added rice popular west_africa palm wine popular alcoholic traditional demographics nigeria nigeria found cross river delta rivers state language predominant areas english national language spoken prominent towns cities include considered capital port significant number people migrated parts nigeria cities official data population ethnic groups nigeria continues controversial minority groups claimed government deliberately official population group numerical superiority cia world puts population nigeria total population million approximately million people southeastern nigeria inhabited primarily densely populated area nigeria possibly africa inhabit southeastern nigeria closely related people regarded informed southeast war people emigrated indigenous homeland southeastern nigeria absence federal presence lack jobs poor infrastructure recent decades region nigeria suffered frequent environmental damage mainly related oil industry people moved cities countries canada united_kingdom united_states prominent communities outside africa include london united_kingdom houston baltimore chicago detroit seattle atlanta washington united_states people recorded small number island small numbers live japan making majority immigrant population based tokyo large african population china speaking mainly businessmen trading factories china southeastern nigeria particularly immigrants found americas canadian american jamaican genetic studies shown cluster closely speaking peoples tracing means dna testing roots african uncovered descendants victims atlantic slave trade researching family history pbs programme african american lives bishop dna analyzed showed descended american actors forest paul blair traced people organizations 1930s saw rise unions cities port later federal union renamed state union emerged umbrella pan ethnic organization headed closely associated national council nigeria founded aim organization improvement advancement education indigenous land included national anthem plan bank military regime lifted ban independent political activity organization formed elite umbrella organization speaks behalf people main concerns people politics neglect indigenous territory social amenities development infrastructure groups protest perceived people peoples congress 20th century numerous unions organizations existing world union founded prominent trader soldier named thomas union founded community sierra surgeon scientist soldier active member decades war movement sovereign state group founded september goal independent state creation conflicts members government resulting death members general elections group known indigenous people prominent vocal group creation independent state radio station named radio promotion language culture society promoting language culture founded frederick created standard dialect