Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups who are the original or earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied or colonized the area more recently. This can refer to either prehistoric peoples, or certain contemporary ethnic groups who have maintained a historical continuity, with recognized ancestral lands, traditional customs and culture.

Definition and usage

The term "indigenous" is derived from the Latin word indigena, which is based on the root gen- (to be born) with an archaic form of the prefix in (in). The word therefore literally means "born in" or "native to". The term was used by ancient Romans to describe the native inhabitants of a region, as opposed to the colonizers from Rome.

Indigenous peoples by region

Africa

In Africa, indigenous peoples include the San people of Southern Africa, the Maasai people of East Africa, and the Berber people of North Africa.

Americas

In the Americas, indigenous peoples include the Native Americans, the Inuit, and the First Nations of Canada.

Asia

In Asia, indigenous peoples include the Ainu people of Japan, the Tibetan people, and the Hmong people of Southeast Asia.

Europe

In Europe, indigenous peoples include the Sami people of Scandinavia and the Basque people of Spain and France.

Oceania

In Oceania, indigenous peoples include the Aboriginal Australians, the Maori people of New Zealand, and the Pacific Islanders.

Rights of indigenous peoples

The rights of indigenous peoples are protected by a number of international conventions, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

See also

• Indigenous rights
• Indigenous languages
• Indigenous cultures

References

Indigenous peoples Resources
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