indigenous people; native people; aborigines
Refers to ethnic groups who originally inhabited a region before colonization or outside settlement. Often used in anthropological or historical contexts.
The indigenous people of that island preserve their own language and culture.
土着民の権利を守るための法律が制定された。
A law was enacted to protect the rights of the native people.
Compound of 土着 (dochaku, 'aboriginal, indigenous') and 民 (min, 'people'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji literally mean 'soil-attached people'.