Ethnomusicology is an interdisciplinary field studying music within its cultural context. The discipline evolved from comparative musicology and anthropology, emphasizing music as a social practice. Key figures like Alan Lomax, Bruno Nettl, and Mantle Hood significantly shaped its theoretical and methodological frameworks. Today, ethnomusicology examines diverse musical forms globally using fieldwork, archival research, and digital technologies. The field grapples with decolonization, globalization's impact, equitable representation, and AI's role in music. Despite these challenges, ethnomusicology remains vital for preserving and understanding diverse musical traditions.