aboriginer

Aboriginer is a term used in several languages to denote indigenous peoples—the original inhabitants of a region. It derives from the Latin phrase ab origine, meaning from the origin or from the beginning. In English, the older form aborigine and its plural aborigines historically referred to the indigenous peoples of Australia. In modern usage, the term is considered outdated or imprecise in many contexts and may be avoided in favor of Indigenous peoples, Indigenous Australian or Aboriginal peoples, or the specific community name. Other languages retain cognate forms such as aboriginer or aborigines to describe native populations more generally.

Regional usage varies. In Australia, the term formerly referred to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but today many prefer expressions that acknowledge distinct nations and cultures, such as Aboriginal Australians or First Nations peoples. In other regions, cognate terms are used to describe native inhabitants, though the appropriate designation is often region- and community-specific and may require consent or adherence to local naming conventions.

Cultural and political context is diverse. Indigenous groups typically maintain unique languages, customs, governance traditions, and strong connections to ancestral lands. Colonization and subsequent policies frequently led to dispossession, cultural suppression, and demographic change, with ongoing efforts toward recognition of rights, land claims, language and cultural preservation, and self-determination. International frameworks, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasize protections, participation in decision-making, and respect for cultural heritage.

See also: Indigenous peoples, Aboriginal Australians, Native title, Reconciliation, Sámi.