Colonial Ethnology

Colonial ethnology is the study of different cultures and peoples during the colonial period, often conducted by colonizers or Western researchers. It aimed to document and understand indigenous societies, languages, customs, and social structures, sometimes to justify colonial rule or aid administration. However, it often reflected colonial biases, portraying non-European peoples through a Western lens and sometimes misrepresenting or oversimplifying their cultures. Today, colonial ethnology is recognized as problematic because of its potential to distort and imperialize the narratives of the peoples it studied. Modern approaches emphasize ethical, collaborative, and respectful research that values indigenous perspectives.