Indianism

noun

In·​di·​an·​ism ˈin-dē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

plural Indianisms

1

a

: the quality or state of being an Indigenous person of the Americas : Indigenous American identity

One of the women … expressed her long-time desire and need to connect with her Indianism on a spiritual level, through traditional spiritual practices and ceremonies.

—unidentified study participant, quoted in American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research

b

: interest in or enthusiasm for Indigenous American life, arts, traditions, etc. especially when these are regarded or portrayed in a stereotypical or romanticized way

Popular culture has found in Indianism a lucrative commodity, as in Walt Disney's Pocahontas or Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves.

—Bruce S. Thornton

c

: advocacy or policy designed to advance the interests and cultural traditions of any of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas

… the Maya themselves have shown an awareness of global ideologies of decolonization and Indianism, expressing … a desire to decolonize their country …

—Elizabeth R. Bell

d

: an English word or phrase regarded as characteristic of the speech of Indigenous peoples of the Americas

A particularly fascinating chapter examines Indianisms, non-native coinages either translated or intended to evoke the character of native languages and perceived traditions: "forked tongue", "warpath", "paleface" …

—Fiona Robertson

2

a

: the quality or state of being a person from India : Indian identity

… to me bindis symbolise Indianism, wisdom and power …

—Priti Paul, quoted in Woman's Era

People can come together and discuss what's happening back in India and they can get in touch with their Indianism.

—Barath Rajagopalan, quoted in Detroit News

b

: an English word or phrase regarded as characteristic of the spoken English of the people of India

Some Indianisms are creative uses of an ordinary English word or phrase to reflect a particularly Indian sensibility—such as "kindly adjust", said apologetically by the seventh person slipping into a bench meant for four.

—Shashi Tharoor

Indianist

ˈin-dē-ə-nist 

adjective or noun

Examples of Indianism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The work of unwinding the violent anti-Indigenous attitudes embedded in America’s education systems will remain, as will the need to correct the erasure and pan-Indianism encouraged by these mascots and other popular culture vehicles. —Nick Martin, The New Republic, 14 Dec. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Indianism

• Pan-Indianism