indigeni

Indigeni (sing. indigeno) is the Italian term for indigenous peoples—communities with historical continuity with a territory prior to its current borders and that maintain distinct social, cultural, linguistic, and political identities.

In Italian usage, indigeni can refer to diverse groups around the world. The term is often preferred in formal and academic contexts over more general descriptors such as "nativi" or "autoctoni," though usage varies by country and field. Some contexts distinguish between populations identified as indigenous and those labeled autochthonous; the emphasis can be on cultural continuity, ancestral lands, or formal recognition.

Indigenous peoples are protected and promoted under international law, notably the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and ILO Convention 169. These frameworks recognize rights to self-determination, culturally appropriate education and health, preservation of languages and cultural practices, and participation in decisions affecting their lands and communities.

Globally, indigenous groups encompass a wide variety of communities, including the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, the Sami in Northern Europe, the Ainu in Japan, and numerous groups across Africa and Asia. Contemporary issues often focus on land rights, language preservation, cultural revitalization, and the impacts of development, mining and climate change.

The term’s meaning can vary with legal and cultural context, so accuracy and sensitivity are important when referring to specific groups. Indigeneity remains central to debates on rights, representation, and culturally informed policy.