The Misnomers

The word Injun (Ingen), often a slur used by colonizers towards Indians of Choctaw and Cherokee Tribes (aborigines of North America). 

Etymology of Ingen

According to history:

The suffix Ingen is taken from the ancient Alemanni language and means “the people from.” The Alemanni were an old Germanic tribe.

[Interpretations of history added]

Then Alemanni people influenced the French which later influenced the word in its slang form in early America as Alabama was first (before England Colonized) a “French colony”.

- It appears that it was later translated to derogatory slang. Slang yes, but slang in a short definition used to describe the people belonging to a “particular” decent or “native tribe” [Not to different on how the word Negus was changed to mean that of a derogatory slang]

Early History:

The Proto-Indo-Europeans, associated with the Yamnaya culture and other cultural groups in the Pontic-Caspian Steppe, are considered to be the early ancestors of many Indo-European language-speaking groups, including some Germanic tribes.

What was their complexion: (for context)

The Proto-Indo-Europeans, generally associated with the Yamnaya culture and other cultural groups in the Northern Caucasus region and the wider Pontic-Caspian Steppe, were, based on DNA analyses, predominantly dark haired, dark eyed, and had medium skin tones, e.g., not as light as modern-day Northern Europeans.

In short:

Etymology of “Ingen”:

The suffix “ingen” originates from the ancient Alemanni language and translates to “the people from.” The Alemanni were an old Germanic tribe. Over time, the Alemanni culture influenced the French language, which later had an impact on the word’s usage in early America. Given that Alabama was initially a French colony, this word eventually found its way into American English slang. While it has taken on derogatory connotations, it originally referred to a group’s specific lineage or native tribe, akin to “descent.”

Early History and Complexion:

The Proto-Indo-Europeans, linked to cultures such as the Yamnaya culture in the Pontic-Caspian Steppe, are considered ancestral to numerous Indo-European language-speaking groups, including certain Germanic tribes. In the context of complexion, DNA analyses suggest that the Proto-Indo-Europeans, who resided in the Northern Caucasus region and the wider

Pontic-Caspian Steppe, predominantly had dark hair, dark eyes, and medium skin tones. Their skin tones were not as light as those of modern Northern Europeans. 

Footnote: My grandparents are of mixed Choctaw, Cherokee and Blackfeet. They were born into it (Alabamians).

[Urban Dictionary]

The word Injun is a contraction from the word indigenous and spelled like the phonetic sound of the contraction. So "Indigenous", INdiGENous, INGEN, INJUN.

About Chief Mathias El

Chief Mathias El was born in Detroit, connecting him to the city's roots. However, his ancestral heritage stretches back seven generations to the Native Alabamians, a testament to his deep ties to the Alabamian Indian region. At 18, he followed in the footsteps of his paternal grandparents, who had moved from Alabama to Michigan, by making the momentous decision to relocate to California. This move was driven by a shared commitment to safeguarding their heritage, culture, and way of life.

Growing up in a family that placed great importance on cultural identity, Chief Mathias El, originally named Mathew Allen McCaster, recalled the challenges encountered in Detroit. He noted, "As a melanated people, we were often misidentified as African American or Black." Despite their cultural awareness, resources for those identifying as Native or Indian were scarce. Historical educational and economic disparities often pushed many to adopt the African American label in order to access support.

Chief Mathias El's paternal grandparents, brave individuals, embarked on a journey from Alabama in the mid-1900s. They represented the fifth generation of their respective native groups (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Carolina), their legacy deeply rooted in ancestral lands.

Little known to most, their ancestors did not speak English. Despite documented census records placing them on Indian territory and their strong connection to the land, melanated individuals faced discrimination and were stripped of their tribal identity, frequently labeled as Negro. The language barrier further complicated matters, contributing to a skewed historical narrative.

Chief Mathias El's grandmother shared that they were often referred to as "Ingens" and occasionally mistaken for Blackfeet, even though their true heritage lay in being Choctaw and Cherokee Indians. A pivotal moment in his life was the passing of his father, a profound event that left a lasting impact on the family and triggered a significant shift in their cultural dynamics.

The drug epidemic in Detroit further strained the family's resilience, leaving a lasting imprint. Chief Mathias El's paternal grandfather, deeply affected by these challenges, chose to focus on moving forward rather than discussing cultural heritage.

This narrative resonates with the struggles faced by many cultures during the 80s in urban centers like Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Navigating this era felt akin to conquering insurmountable obstacles. The community was ill-equipped to confront the unforeseen challenges of the 80s, underscoring the importance of acknowledging and sharing these often-overlooked stories and histories.

#9ether #woollyhaired #melanatedbeing