International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024: Its History & Significance andList of Indigenous Peoples around Asia
International Day of World’s Indigenous People 2024
Every year on August 9th, the world observes International Day of World’s Indigenous People 2023, dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the rights of indigenous populations globally. This significant event, also known as World Tribal Day, serves as a platform to acknowledge the remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions made by indigenous communities in addressing global issues, particularly environmental protection.
History of the International Day of World’s Indigenous People
The roots of the International Day of World’s Indigenous People trace back to December 1994, when the United Nations General Assembly designated this annual commemoration on August 9th. The selection of this date holds symbolic significance, as it marks the inaugural gathering of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, which took place in Geneva in 1982.
This observance is a crucial response to the prevailing disparities faced by indigenous communities worldwide. Despite comprising less than 5% of the global population, indigenous people constitute 15% of the poorest, underscoring the urgency of focusing on their rights and well-being. Furthermore, their preservation of a multitude of languages and representation of diverse cultures make them an indispensable part of our global heritage.
In essence, the International Day of World’s Indigenous People stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy, challenges, and contributions of indigenous communities. It urges the world to uphold their rights, amplify their voices, and appreciate the wisdom they offer in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.
International Day of World’s Indigenous People 2024 Theme
This year’s edition focuses on the theme “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.” By spotlighting the role of indigenous youth, the event highlights their pivotal capacity to drive transformative actions and assert their right to self-determination within their communities and beyond.
Championing Climate Action and the Transition to Sustainability
The International Day of World’s Indigenous People underscores the proactive involvement of indigenous youth in the realms of climate action and the shift toward sustainability. Acknowledging the deep connection between indigenous communities and their natural environments, the theme accentuates the vital contributions these young individuals make in advocating for sustainable practices and ecological preservation.
Mobilizing for Justice: Safeguarding Indigenous Rights
At the heart of this year’s celebration lies the mobilization for justice. Indigenous youth are recognized as dynamic catalysts for change, actively working to secure and defend the rights of their communities. Their efforts encompass advocating for equitable treatment, combating discrimination, and protecting traditional territories and cultural heritage.
Fostering Inter-generational Bonds: Merging Wisdom and Innovation
The International Day of World’s Indigenous People places a strong emphasis on fostering inter-generational connections. By bridging the wisdom of older generations with the innovative spirit of youth, indigenous communities enhance their ability to navigate contemporary challenges while preserving their distinct cultural identities and traditions.
The Significance of the International Day of World’s Indigenous People
The Significance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People 2024
This observance carries profound cultural, historical, and scientific importance. Indigenous and tribal cultures offer a precious insight into humanity’s origins. Recognizing the knowledge amassed by indigenous people contributes not only to cultural enrichment but also to scientific advancement. These ancient cultures have developed survival strategies over centuries and discovered remedies that continue to greatly benefit modern science. Additionally, preserving indigenous languages, spiritual practices, and philosophies is vital for upholding the diverse fabric of human heritage.
How to Celebrate the International Day of World’s Indigenous People 2024
The 2024 World Indigenous Peoples Day provides an opportunity to learn about and stand in solidarity with native communities globally. We can create awareness and uplift these communities in meaningful ways:
- Read and research to better comprehend indigenous cultures – reliable sources include libraries, educational social media channels and podcasts. Developing informed perspectives is key.
- Patronize indigenous-owned enterprises across sectors like food, beauty products, jewelry etc. This boosts their economic welfare besides deepening our own cultural literacy.
- Donate time, money or skills to indigenous organizations working on the ground. Raising awareness around issues faced by these communities is integral to commemorating this day. Our volunteering efforts can have real impact.
Let us leverage this year’s World Indigenous Peoples Day to foster greater sensitivity towards preserving endangered native identities, validating overlooked native histories and helping safeguard indigenous rights. Our compassionate actions today can build more just, equitable societies.
This article will help you know about the popular tribal communities of Asia, majorly Indian Subcontinent:
Indian subcontinent
Adivasis
The term Adivasi refers to tribal communities in whole found throughout the Indian subcontinent. The word is taken from the Sanskrit language by political activists to give tribal people an indigenous identity by claiming indigenous heritage around 1930.
Dravidian peoples
The Dravidian peoples, often known as Dravidian-speakers or Dravidians, are a linguistic and cultural group that largely inhabits Southern Asia and speaks any of the Dravidian languages.
- Badaga: Tamil Nadu, South India
- Gond: Gondwana Land, Central India
- Irula: Tamil Nadu, South India
- Kisan: Indigenous peoples of Odisha, East India
- Kodava: Kodagu, Karnataka, South India
- Kota (Kothar/Kov): Tamil Nadu, South India
- Kuruba: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, South India
- Tamil: Tamil Nadu, South India and Sri Lanka
- Toda: Tamil Nadu, South India
- South Dravidian peoples
- Giraavaru: Maldives
Indo-European peoples
According to linguistic reconstruction, the Indo-Europeans were an improbable prehistoric people of Eurasia that spoke Proto-Indo-European (PIE), the origin of the Indo-European languages.
Iranian peoples
- Pashtuns: southern Afghanistan and Northwest Pakistan
- Baloch: southeastern Iran and southwest Pakistan
Indo-Aryan peoples
Indo-Aryan peoples are a group of Indo-European peoples who speak Indo-Aryan languages in India. Aryans were the Indo-Iranian-speaking pastoralists who migrated from Central Asia to South Asia and brought the Proto-Indo-Aryan language with them.
- Dard: Dardistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan
- Kalasha of Chitral (Kaĺaśa): Ancient pre-Muslim polytheistic pagan ethnic minority in Chitral District, Northern Pakistan
- Shina: Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan
- Kashmiri Hindus: India
- Pothwari: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Seraiki: Multan, Pakistan
- Punjabi: Lahore, Pakistan, Amristar & Delhi, India
- Sindhi: Sindh, Pakistan, India
- Bengali: Bangladesh, India
- Gujarati: India Sindh, Pakistan
- Banjara: Rajasthan
- Bhil people: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
- Jaunsari people: Uttarakhand
- Dogras: Jammu
- Tharu: Nepal, East India
- Warli
Sino-Tibetan-speaking peoples
The Sino-Tibetan language family comprises early literary languages including Chinese, Tibetan, and Burmese, as well as over 400 current languages spoken in China, India, Burma, and Nepal. It is one of the world's most diverse language families, with 1.4 billion speakers.
Bodish peoples
- Ladakhi: Ladakh, North India
- Konyak peoples
- Indigenous Assamese people
- Tripuri (Borok): Tripura, North-East India
- Konyak peoples
- Nocte: Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh, North-East India
Kukish peoples
- Karbi: Karbi Anglong, Assam, North-East-India
- Mizo (Mizo hnam): Mizoram, North-East India
- Naga: Nagaland, North-East India
Raji-Raute peoples
- Raute: Nepal, North India
- Digaro peoples
- Mishmi: Arunachal Pradesh, North-East India
Jumma people
- Chakma: Bangladesh, Arunachal Pradesh - North-East India
- Indigenous peoples of Sikkim: India
Sino-Tibetan-speaking peoples
- Bodish peoples
- Bhutia (Denzongpa)
- Lepcha
- Meitei: Manipur, North-East India
- Burusho: Hunza and Chitral districts, Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Pakistan
Sino-Tibetan-speaking peoples
- Lolo-Burmese peoples
- Burmish peoples
- Marma: Bangladesh
- Meitei people: Manipur and neighbouring states of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar
- Vedda (Wanniyala-Aetto): Sri Lanka
- Sinhalese: Sri Lanka
- Dhivehi: Maldives
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Negrito
The term Negrito refers to a variety of ethnic groups who live in remote areas of Southeast Asia and the Andaman Islands.
- Great Andamanese: Great Andaman, Strait Island, Andaman Is.
- Jangil (Rutland Jarawa): now extinct, formerly of Rutland Island, Andamans
- Jarawa: South Andaman and Middle Andaman
- Onge (Ă–nge): Little Andaman, Andaman Islands
- Sentinelese: North Sentinel Island, Andaman Islands
Austroasiatic peoples
- Nicobarese people (Holchu): Nicobar Islands, India
- Shompen people (Kalay-Keyet): Nicobar Islands, India
This International Day of Indigenous Peoples 2023, themed "Indigenous youth as agents of change for self-determination," reaffirms the role that Indigenous youth must play in decision-making while also recognising their dedicated efforts in climate action, the pursuit of justice for their people, and the establishment of an intergenerational connection that preserves their culture, traditions, and contributions.
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