Rethinking the Idea of Indigeneity

Abstract

The concept of indigeneity has traditionally been linked to the rights and identities of the world’s first peoples, framed within colonial histories and socio-political struggles. This paper reconceptualizes indigeneity as a multifaceted and evolving framework that integrates cultural, historical, and contemporary dimensions, specifically examining how globalization, environmental change, and intersectionality reshape indigenous identities. Through case studies from diverse regions, including India’s Adivasi communities, Native Americans, and Indigenous groups in Africa and the Pacific, it highlights the dynamic nature of indigenous identity. The research critiques simplistic indigenous/non-indigenous binaries and advocates for a nuanced understanding grounded in the lived realities of indigenous peoples. Specifically, it examines the role of traditional knowledge systems in Jharkhand, India, focusing on community forest governance among the Munda Adivasi to illustrate how indigeneity intersects with colonialism, decolonization, globalization, gender, and class. The paper finds that recognizing and supporting indigenous traditional knowledge systems is essential for fostering social justice, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. Ultimately, it argues for rethinking indigeneity as a relational and participatory process that reimagines power dynamics and fosters shared futures in an interconnected world, recommending inclusive policymaking and further research.