We currently live in a world with an immense diversity of cultures, languages, and ethnic groups. Recently, the term 'Indigenous Peoples' has been increasingly used in crucial global discussions regarding human rights, development, climate change, and other significant matters.
Many of you may be curious: Who exactly are 'Indigenous Peoples'? Who should be called Indigenous Peoples? Therefore, in this article, we will attempt to explain the identity of 'Indigenous Peoples' and how they are recognized at the national and international levels.
Indigenous Peoples are known by different names in various countries. For example:
- 'First Nations'—particularly in Canada
- 'Native Americans'—in the United States of America
- 'Aboriginals'—in Australia
- 'Māori'—in New Zealand
- 'Scheduled Tribes'—in India, as mentioned in the constitution
- 'Aadivasi Janajati,' or in English, 'Indigenous Nationalities'—in Nepal
- 'Ethnic Minorities'—in China and many other countries
Meaning of the Word 'Indigenous'
For many years, the word 'Indigenous' has been used to identify the original inhabitants of a region.
The international debate about the meaning of the word 'Indigenous' began in the latter half of the 19th century. The word is believed to originate from the Latin word 'Indigenae,' which the Romans used to distinguish between residents born or dwelling in a specific place and immigrants (those who came from other countries or places). Similarly, the Greeks also used this word to refer to groups of people who first settled in a specific place.
Therefore, when analyzing the meaning of the word 'Indigenous,' it can be understood that the people who first arrived and settled in a land or territory—the first inhabitants—are the Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous. It can thus be said that Indigenous Peoples are groups that have continuously inhabited specific land and territory long before modern countries, states, or geographical maps were drawn.
Identification and Definition of Indigenous Peoples in the International Arena
Even in the international arena, there is no single established definition of who Indigenous Peoples are and what their definition is. That is, there is no single established criterion for identifying them that can be applied globally. Nevertheless, based on the experiences and studies of various countries, some common characteristics have been identified.
To date, the United Nations' accepted definition of Indigenous Peoples is that of José Martínez Cobo of Ecuador. He was appointed as the UN Special Rapporteur in 1971 to study the discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples.
Martínez Cobo submitted the final report of his study, which began in 1972, to the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1987. He played a significant role in conveying to the international community that 'Self-Identification' should be considered the main characteristic of Indigenous Peoples' identity.
According to Martínez Cobo, Indigenous Peoples are:
‘Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems.’ by Jose R. Martinez Cobo, UN Special Rapporteur, UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.
In essence, Indigenous Peoples are those who have historical continuity with their own land or territory, which was developed before the time of encroachment or colonization, and who today identify themselves as a distinct community. They have their own cultural, social, and legal processes, and they are committed to maintaining their society, protecting, developing, and passing on their ancestral territories and ethnic identity to future generations as the basis of their distinct existence.
In discussions about the definition of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations, instead of attempting to define them, their 'Self-Identification' or 'Self-Determination' was considered important.
This means that, to date, no international body, including the United Nations, has accepted an official definition of 'Indigenous Peoples.' However, diverse characteristics have been identified to describe Indigenous Peoples.
Characteristics for Identifying Indigenous Peoples:
The following characteristics are identified for recognizing Indigenous Peoples:
- Self-Identification: Those who self-identify as Indigenous and are accepted and recognized as members by their community.
- Historical Continuity: Those who have been historically and continuously residing in a specific area since before the formation of modern or current state boundaries or before the arrival of colonial powers.
- Distinct Culture and Lifestyle: They possess their own original language, culture, customs, traditions, and lifestyle, which have established them as a distinct community or group.
- Deep Connection with Ancestral Land: Indigenous Peoples are the original inhabitants of specific land or territory, with a deep, historical connection to their ancestral land, water, forests, soil, hills, and deserts. This connection is not merely about land ownership but is embedded in their culture, spirituality, and way of life.
Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Nepal
The National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) Act, 2058 B.S. (2002 A.D.), was the first to provide identity and recognition to Indigenous Peoples in Nepal. According to this Act, 59 ethnic communities are currently recognized as Indigenous Peoples in Nepal. Lately, ‘Rana Tharu’ was also recognized as an Indigenous Nationality, bringing the total to 60 Indigenous Nationalities listed.
In identifying Indigenous Peoples, the Foundation based its criteria on the following characteristics of the community:
- Having their own distinct collective cultural identity.
- Having their own language, religion, traditional customs, and culture.
- Having their own written or unwritten history.
- Having a traditional social structure based on equality.
- Having no decisive role in modern Nepal's politics and governance system.
- Having a sense of 'we' within the community.
- Having their own traditional geographical area, not falling within the fourfold Hindu Varna system, and claiming themselves as Janajati (Indigenous Nationalities).
Status of Indigenous Peoples Worldwide
You might be wondering, how many Indigenous Peoples are there worldwide?
- Population and Geography: Globally, approximately 500 million Indigenous Peoples live in more than 90 different countries. This is about 6 percent of the world's population. However, Indigenous Peoples manage about 25 percent of the world's land area or forests.
- Biodiversity and Knowledge: Approximately 80 percent of the world's biodiversity is found in their lands and territories, which they have been conserving. They possess their own original knowledge for the care or conservation of forests or rivers, which is called traditional knowledge or Indigenous knowledge.
- Contribution to Climate Change: In the context of addressing climate change, their knowledge of its mitigation and adaptation is considered crucial. Despite this, Indigenous Peoples are not adequately involved in discussions, policies, and programs regarding climate change or biodiversity conservation. Therefore, their meaningful participation in policymaking is essential.
- Language: Out of the approximately 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, about 4,000 are spoken by Indigenous Peoples. That is, more than half of the world's languages are owned by Indigenous Peoples. The United Nations has declared 2022 to 2032 as the 'International Decade of Indigenous Languages' to raise public awareness for the conservation and revitalization of their languages.
Challenges Faced by Indigenous Peoples
Despite the significant importance of their language, biodiversity conservation, and their knowledge and contribution to climate change mitigation, Indigenous Peoples face various challenges.
They have been forcibly displaced from their lands and territories in the name of colonization, development projects, or other reasons. Various policies and programs have been created with the aim of erasing their cultures and languages. Even today, many Indigenous communities are marginalized from access to poverty reduction, education, health, and policymaking.