Ethnomusicology’s “Identity” Problem: The History and Definitions of a Troubled Term in Music Research

Abstract

This article takes a diachronic look at the use of the word “identity” in ethnomusicology and related disciplines, synthesizing disparate uses and definitions to suggest an allencompassing yet concise definition. Expanding from a critical piece by Timothy Rice (2007) on the topic, the literature review for the present study included not only articles in major ethnomusicology journals with the word “identity” in the title –as Rice did– but also monographs, anthologies, and academic encyclopedias in the realms of ethnomusicology, musicology, psychology, cultural studies, and anthropology where “identity” was a principal theme. The interdisciplinary and chronological approach shows writing about “identity” to be disjointed in ethnomusicology and in related disciplines, but not entirely devoid of heuristic value. A broad but highly portable definition is suggested before taking stock of the remaining work needed to achieve a uniquely musical take on identity.