Definition

Noun: 1. Traditional and typically anonymous music expressing the life of a community: This term refers to the musical traditions of a specific cultural group, often passed down orally through generations. It is deeply connected to the history, daily life, rituals, and identity of a people.

Usage

• Ethnic music is studied by anthropologists and ethnomusicologists to understand cultural values.
• The festival featured a diverse range of ethnic music from indigenous communities.
• Recording and preserving ethnic music is important for cultural heritage.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in academic and descriptive contexts related to cultural studies, anthropology, and musicology. It emphasizes the music's role as a communal and traditional art form, distinct from commercial or classical music traditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Folk music: A closely related term, sometimes used interchangeably. "Folk music" can have a broader application, including contemporary singer-songwriter traditions, while "ethnic music" often more strongly emphasizes the cultural and traditional aspects of a specific ethnic group.
• World music: A modern commercial and genre category that includes various traditional and popular music styles from around the world, often incorporating ethnic music elements.
• Traditional music: A more general synonym that can be used for ethnic music.

Synonyms

• Folk music
• Traditional music
• Indigenous music

Antonyms

• Popular music
• Classical music (Western art music)
• Commercial music

Related Phrases

• Ethnic musical instrument: A traditional instrument associated with a specific culture's music.
  • The djembe is a well-known ethnic musical instrument from West Africa.
• Ethnic musicology: The scholarly study of ethnic or traditional music (more commonly called ).
  • Her research in ethnic musicology focuses on Mongolian throat singing.

Noun

1. the traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of people in a community