Aboriginal vs. Indigenous — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Aboriginal specifically denotes Australia's original inhabitants, while Indigenous relates to original inhabitants of any region worldwide.
Difference Between Aboriginal and Indigenous
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Aboriginal is a term often reserved for the first peoples of Australia, reflecting their unique cultural and historical identity.
Indigenous, on the other hand, is a broader term that applies to the original inhabitants of any region worldwide, encompassing diverse cultures and histories.
While Aboriginal is used in a specific context related to Australia, Indigenous is a more inclusive and global term.
Both terms represent people who have a long-standing connection to their lands, but Indigenous is used in more varied cultural and geographical contexts than Aboriginal.
Aboriginal and Indigenous both convey a deep historical presence in a region, yet Aboriginal is geographically limited compared to the universally applicable Indigenous.
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Comparison Chart
Geographical Scope
Australia
Global
Usage Specificity
Specific to Australian original peoples
Broad, for original peoples everywhere
Cultural Connotation
Unique to Australian context
Diverse, varies by region
Recognition
Recognized legal status in Australia
Varied legal recognition globally
Historical Association
Tied to Australia's history
Tied to respective regional histories
Compare with Definitions
Aboriginal
Original inhabitants of Australia.
The Aboriginal community shared their traditions.
Indigenous
Native to a particular region or environment.
Indigenous plants thrive in this climate.
Aboriginal
First peoples of the Australian continent.
Aboriginal languages are diverse.
Indigenous
People who are the original inhabitants of a region.
Indigenous languages are being revitalized.
Aboriginal
Relating to Australia’s original inhabitants.
The land holds significance in Aboriginal culture.
Indigenous
Characteristic of the original people of an area.
Indigenous knowledge is invaluable.
Aboriginal
Having existed in a region from the beginning
Aboriginal forests.
Indigenous
Originating naturally in a specific area.
The festival celebrated indigenous cultures.
Aboriginal
Of or relating to an indigenous people of a given region.
Indigenous
Inherently belonging to a particular place.
Indigenous traditions vary widely.
Aboriginal
Often Aboriginal Of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia.
Indigenous
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
The indigenous peoples of Siberia
Coriander is indigenous to southern Europe
Aboriginal
Also Aboriginal A member of an indigenous people of a given region.
Indigenous
Originating, growing, or produced in a certain place or region.
Aboriginal
First according to historical or scientific records; original; indigenous; primitive.
Indigenous
Being a member of the original inhabitants of a particular place.
Aboriginal
Living in a land before colonization by the Europeans.
Indigenous
Of, belonging to, or characteristic of such inhabitants.
Aboriginal
Alternative case form of Aboriginal
Indigenous
Born or originating in, native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion.
Aboriginal
An animal or plant native to a region.
Indigenous
In particular, of or relating to a people (or their language or culture) that inhabited a region prior to the arrival of people of other cultures which became dominant (e.g., through colonialism), and which maintains a distinct culture.
The Ainu are the indigenous ethnic group of Japan's Hokkaido Island.
Aboriginal
Alternative case form of Aboriginal
Indigenous
Innate, inborn.
Aboriginal
First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America.
Indigenous
Native; produced, growing, or living, naturally in a country or climate; not exotic; not imported.
Negroes were all transported from Africa and are not indigenous or proper natives of America.
In America, cotton, being indigenous, is cheap.
Aboriginal
Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindu of aboriginal blood.
Indigenous
Native; inherent; innate.
Joy and hope are emotions indigenous to the human mind.
Aboriginal
An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.
Indigenous
Originating where it is found;
The autochthonal fauna of Australia includes the kangaroo
Autochthonous rocks and people and folktales
Endemic folkways
The Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan
Aboriginal
An animal or a plant native to the region.
It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands.
Aboriginal
A dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived
Aboriginal
Being or composed of people inhabiting a region from the beginning;
Native Americans
The aboriginal peoples of Australia
Aboriginal
Having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state;
Aboriginal forests
Primal eras before the appearance of life on earth
The forest primeval
Primordial matter
Primordial forms of life
Aboriginal
Native to Australia from ancient times.
Aboriginal art is rich in symbolism.
Aboriginal
Pertaining to the indigenous Australians.
Aboriginal rights have been a key issue.
Common Curiosities
Is 'Aboriginal' used outside of Australia?
Rarely, it's primarily used for Australian indigenous peoples.
Can 'Aboriginal' refer to indigenous peoples elsewhere?
Not commonly; it's closely associated with Australia.
Can 'Indigenous' be used for Australian natives?
Yes, but 'Aboriginal' is more specific in the Australian context.
Can both terms be used in environmental contexts?
Yes, regarding flora, fauna, and people native to an area.
Are both terms legally recognized?
Yes, but the recognition varies by country and context.
Are Aboriginal peoples a diverse group?
Yes, there is significant diversity among Aboriginal Australians.
Can 'Indigenous' be used in a global human rights context?
Yes, it's often used in discussions of global indigenous rights.
Is 'Indigenous' interchangeable with 'Native'?
Often, but 'Indigenous' is sometimes preferred for its global scope.
Do both terms have cultural significance?
Yes, they represent the heritage and identity of peoples.
Does 'Aboriginal' have a singular and plural form?
Yes, 'Aboriginal' and 'Aboriginals' (or 'Aborigines').
Are 'Aboriginal' and 'Indigenous' politically sensitive terms?
They can be, depending on the context and usage.
Does 'Indigenous' only refer to people?
No, it can also refer to plants, animals, and other native entities.
Do both terms imply a deep connection to land?
Yes, both convey a strong cultural and historical land connection.
Is 'Indigenous' used in academic research?
Yes, widely used in anthropology, history, and other fields.
Is 'Aboriginal' used in official Australian documents?
Yes, it's a recognized term in legal and government contexts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
