A Comprehensive List of Native Peoples in the World

Indigenous peoples are those who have maintained their distinct cultural, social, economic, and political characteristics, despite the influences of colonialism, modernization, and globalization. They are often marginalized and vulnerable, facing issues such as land rights, discrimination, and economic exclusion. In this article, we will discuss and give you some examples list of native peoples around the world.

Indigenous peoples (from Latin indigenus “native”), as defined by the 1982 UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, are populations who consider themselves descendants of the inhabitants of a given geographical area who lived there before foreign conquest, colonization or state establishment who have a close (emotional, economic and/or spiritual) connection to their living space and who have a strong ethnic-cultural identity as a community with its own socio-political and culturaltraditions.

Here is a comprehensive list of indigenous peoples around the world

Here’s a brief overview of the indigenous peoples in each continent:

Africa

There are over 3,000 indigenous peoples in Africa, including the San, Maasai, and Pygmies. They are found in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and Cameroon.

Here’s a brief overview of the indigenous peoples in Africa:

There are many indigenous peoples in Africa, each with unique cultural traditions, languages and ways of life. Here are some of the most famous indigenous peoples in Africa, along with a brief description of their history and where they live:

Maasai:

The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic people living in Kenya and Tanzania. They are known for their distinctive dress, which includes brightly colored robes and elaborate beading. The Maasai have a deep connection to the land and can often be seen herding livestock across the savanna.

San:

The San people, also known as Bushmen, are an indigenous people of southern Africa, including Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. They are one of the oldest cultures in the world, with a rich history of hunting and gathering. The San are famous for their rock art, which provides a glimpse into their ancient way of life.

Pygmies:

The Pygmies are a group of indigenous people living in central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Gabon. They are known for their short stature, usually less than 5 feet (152 cm) in height. The Pygmies have a rich cultural heritage, including traditional music and dance.

Berber:

Berbers are indigenous peoples living in North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. They have a long and complex history, with a mix of Arab, European and African influences. The Berber people are known for their traditional clothing and jewelry, as well as for their lively music and dancing.

Tuaregs:

The Tuareg are a semi-nomadic people living in the Sahara desert, including parts of Mali, Niger and Algeria. They are known for their distinctive blue robes and hoods, which protect them from the scorching desert sun. Tuaregs have a rich cultural heritage, including traditional music and poetry. They are known for their distinctive blue clothing and jewelry, and for their intricate knowledge of the desert landscape.

Tuareg in Algiers, Algeria. Amine loua, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nubians:

The Nubians are an indigenous group of people who live in northern Sudan and southern Egypt. They have a rich history of ancient civilization and are known for their unique language, architecture, and art.

Oromo:

The Oromo are an indigenous group of people who live in Ethiopia and parts of Kenya. They are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and have a rich history of culture and tradition.

Khoikhoi people:

The Khoikhoi people are an indigenous group found in southern Africa, including South Africa and Namibia. They are known for their herding and farming practices, as well as their distinctive language and cultural practices.

Nama people:

The Nama people are a pastoralist group who live in Namibia and South Africa. They are known for their distinctive language, Nama/Damara, and for their history of resisting colonialism and apartheid.
Himba people: The Himba people are a semi-nomadic pastoralist group who live in northern Namibia. They are known for their distinctive red ochre body paint and elaborate hairstyles, as well as their strong connection to their land and cattle.

Amazigh people:

The Amazigh, also known as Berbers, are a diverse group of indigenous peoples who live in North Africa, primarily in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. They have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their distinctive language, music, and crafts.

Dogon people:

The Dogon people are an ethnic group who live in Mali, primarily in the Bandiagara Escarpment. They are known for their intricate knowledge of astronomy and for their elaborate masked dances.

Hadza people:

The Hadza people are a hunting and gathering group who live in Tanzania, primarily in the Lake Eyasi region. They are known for their deep knowledge of the natural world and for their unique language and culture.

Americas

There are over 500 indigenous peoples in North, Central, and South America, including the Navajo, Inuit, Maya, Quechua, and Mapuche. They are found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Chile.

Here’s a brief overview of the indigenous peoples in Americas:

Aymara:

The Aymara are an indigenous group in South America, primarily living in the Andes region of Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. They are known for their distinctive weaving, farming, and traditional medicine practices.

Aztecs:

The Aztecs were a civilization that flourished in Central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Although the Aztecs themselves are no longer a distinct indigenous group, their cultural influence can still be seen throughout the region.

Inca:

The Inca civilization was one of the largest and most advanced indigenous cultures in the Americas. They lived in what is now Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, and are known for their impressive architecture, engineering, and agricultural practices.

Mapuche:

The Mapuche are an indigenous group in South America, primarily living in Chile and Argentina. They are known for their strong resistance against Spanish colonialism and for their traditional weaving, farming, and medicine practices.

Maya:

The Maya were a civilization that flourished in Central America from the 3rd to the 16th centuries. They lived in what is now Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, and are known for their impressive architecture, writing, and astronomical knowledge.

Navajo:

The Navajo are an indigenous group in the southwestern United States, primarily living in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. They are known for their weaving, silverwork, and traditional medicine practices.

Quechua:

The Quechua are an indigenous group in South America, primarily living in the Andes region of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile. They are known for their distinctive weaving, farming, and medicine practices.

Tupi people:

The Tupi were indigenous peoples of Brazil, living along the coast and in the Amazon rainforest. They had their own language, culture, and religion, and were skilled in agriculture, fishing, and hunting.
Mapuche people:

The Mapuche are an indigenous people of Chile and Argentina. They have their own language and culture, and traditionally relied on agriculture and forestry for their livelihood.

Cherokee people:

The Cherokee are an indigenous people of the southeastern United States, mainly living in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. They have their own language and culture, and traditionally relied on agriculture and hunting for their livelihood.

Guaraní people:

The Guaraní are indigenous peoples of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. They have their own language, culture, and religion, and were skilled in agriculture, pottery, and weaving.

Asia

There are over 2,000 indigenous peoples in Asia, including the Ainu, Hmong, Karen, and Rohingya. They are found in countries such as Japan, China, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Indigenous peoples of Asia:

Asia is the world’s largest continent and has a rich diversity of indigenous peoples, each with their own unique cultures and histories. Here are some of the main indigenous groups and where they live:

Ainu people:

The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan, living mainly on the island of Hokkaido. They have their own language and culture, and have faced significant discrimination and marginalization in the past.

Buryat people

The Buryats are an indigenous people of Russia, living mainly in the Republic of Buryatia and other parts of Siberia. They have their own language and culture, and have traditionally relied on nomadic herding for their livelihood.

Hmong people

The Hmong are an indigenous people of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, with smaller populations in Myanmar and Cambodia. They have their own language and culture, and have faced significant discrimination and persecution in the past.

Karen people:

The Karen are an indigenous people of Myanmar, with smaller populations in Thailand and other neighboring countries. They have their own language and culture, and have faced significant persecution and displacement due to conflict with the Myanmar government.

Kazakh people:

The Kazakhs are an indigenous people of Kazakhstan, a country in Central Asia. They have their own language and culture, and traditionally relied on nomadic herding for their livelihood.

Rohingya people:

The Rohingya are an indigenous people of Myanmar, living mainly in the Rakhine State. They are Muslim and have faced significant discrimination and persecution by the Myanmar government, leading to a refugee crisis in neighboring countries.

Saami people:

The Saami are an indigenous people of northern Europe, with populations in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They have their own language and culture, and traditionally relied on hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding for their livelihood.

Tibetans:

Tibetans are an indigenous people of Tibet, a region in China. They have their own language and culture, and have faced significant political and cultural repression by the Chinese government.

Uyghur people:

The Uyghurs are an indigenous people of China, living mainly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. They have their own language and culture, and have faced significant repression and persecution by the Chinese government.

Yakut people:

The Yakuts are an indigenous people of Russia, living mainly in the Sakha Republic in Siberia. They have their own language and culture, and traditionally relied on nomadic herding for their livelihood.

These are just a few of the many indigenous peoples in Asia. It’s important to recognize and celebrate their diversity and work towards preserving their cultures and protecting their rights.

Europe

There are over 100 indigenous peoples in Europe, including the Sami, Basques, and Roma. They are found in countries such as Norway, Spain, and Romania.

List of native peoples of Europe:

Europe has a diverse range of indigenous peoples with unique histories, cultures, and languages. Here are some of the main groups and where they live:

Sami people:

The Sami are the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, including parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They are recognized as a minority group in all four countries and have their own parliament in Norway.

Basque people:

The Basques are an indigenous people of the western Pyrenees, spanning the border between France and Spain. They have their own language and culture, and a long history of resistance against outside forces.
Roma people: The Roma are a nomadic group that originated in northern India and migrated to Europe in the Middle Ages. They are now found throughout Europe, with the largest populations in Romania, Bulgaria, and Spain.

Sámi people:

The Sámi are an indigenous people of northern Europe, living in parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They have a distinct language and culture, and have faced significant discrimination and forced assimilation in the past.

Karelian people:

The Karelians are a Finno-Ugric people who traditionally lived in the Karelian Isthmus and other parts of northwestern Russia. Today, many Karelians live in Finland, where they are recognized as a minority group.
Welsh people: The Welsh are a Celtic people who live in Wales, a country that is part of the United Kingdom. They have their own language and culture, and a long history of resistance against English domination.

Breton people:

The Bretons are a Celtic people who live in Brittany, a region in northwest France. They have their own language and culture, and a history of struggle against French centralization.

Irish people:

The Irish are a Celtic people who live in Ireland, an island nation off the coast of Europe. They have their own language and culture, and a history of resistance against British colonization.

Scots people:

The Scots are a Celtic people who live in Scotland, a country that is part of the United Kingdom. They have their own language and culture, and a long history of resistance against English domination.

Samogitian people:

The Samogitians are a Baltic people who live in the region of Samogitia in western Lithuania. They have their own dialect of the Lithuanian language and a distinct culture.

Nenets people:

The Nenets are an indigenous people of northern Russia, living in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. They traditionally rely on reindeer herding for their livelihood.

Veps people:

The Veps are a Finno-Ugric people who traditionally lived in the Karelian Isthmus and other parts of northwestern Russia. Today, many Veps live in the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad Oblast.

These are just a few of the many indigenous peoples of Europe. It’s important to recognize the diversity and complexity of these groups, and to work towards preserving their cultures and protecting their rights.

Oceania

Oceania is a vast region that includes thousands of islands in the Pacific Ocean, including the continent of Australia, the island of New Guinea, and the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The indigenous peoples of Oceania are diverse and include a variety of cultures, languages, and traditions.

There are over 1,000 indigenous peoples in Oceania, including the Maori, Aborigines, and Kanaks. They are found in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and New Caledonia.

Here is the list of some native peoples peoples of Oceania:

• Aboriginal Australians: The Aboriginal Australians are the indigenous people of mainland Australia, and they have a rich culture and history dating back tens of thousands of years. Today, many Aboriginal Australians live in urban areas, but some still maintain a connection to their traditional lands. while others live in rural and remote communities.
• Torres Strait Islanders: The Torres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, which lie between Australia and Papua New Guinea. They have a distinct culture and language that is different from that of the Aboriginal Australians. Today, many Torres Strait Islanders live on the islands, while others have moved to mainland Australia.
• Papuans: Papuans are the indigenous people of the island of New Guinea, which is divided between the countries of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. They have a diverse range of cultures and languages, and many still live in rural and remote areas of the island.
• Melanesians: Melanesians are the indigenous people of the islands of Melanesia, which include Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia. They have a rich culture that includes music, dance, and art. Melanesians can be found throughout the islands of Melanesia, with the largest populations in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
• Micronesians: Micronesians are the indigenous people of the islands of Micronesia, which include Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Palau. They have a rich history and culture that is closely tied to the ocean. Today, many Micronesians still live on the islands, although some have migrated to other countries, such as the United States.
• Polynesians: Polynesians are the indigenous people of the islands of Polynesia, which include Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Niue, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Hawaii. They have a rich culture that includes dance, music, and storytelling. Polynesians can be found throughout the islands of Polynesia, with the largest populations in Samoa and Tonga.
• Kanaks: Kanaks are the indigenous people of New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific. They have a distinct culture and language that is different from that of the other indigenous peoples of Oceania. Kanaks can be found throughout New Caledonia, although the majority live on the mainland.
• Rapa Nui: Rapa Nui are the indigenous people of Easter Island, a territory of Chile. They have a unique culture and language that is distinct from that of other Polynesian cultures.
• Rotumans: Rotumans are the indigenous people of Rotuma, a Fijian dependency. They have a distinct culture and language that is different from that of the other indigenous peoples of Fiji.
• Ni-Vanuatu: Ni-Vanuatu are the indigenous people of Vanuatu, a Melanesian country in the Pacific. They have a rich culture that includes traditional music, dance, and storytelling.

These are just a few examples of the many indigenous peoples of Oceania. Each group has its own unique culture, language, and history, and they continue to maintain and celebrate their traditions and identities to this day.

Each of these indigenous peoples has its unique culture, language, and history

They often face challenges such as the loss of land and natural resources, political marginalization, and cultural assimilation. However, they continue to fight for their rights and recognition as distinct peoples with their own identities and ways of life.

Example: The Maori people of New Zealand have a rich culture and tradition that has been passed down through generations. However, they have also faced significant challenges, such as the loss of land and natural resources to European settlers, and forced assimilation into European ways of life. Today, the Maori continue to fight for their rights, including their right to self-determination and recognition of their cultural heritage.

Location: Indigenous peoples can be found all around the world, from the Arctic Circle to the tropical rainforests of South America, from the deserts of Africa to the islands of the Pacific. They are an essential part of the cultural diversity and heritage of the world and must be respected, protected, and supported in their struggles for equality and justice.

Sources: PinterPandai, Wikipedia (English), United Nations, World Bank, UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

Photo credit (main picture): Activedia via Pixabay

Indigenous peoples by continent | Largely forgotten by globalization