International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Next: August 9, 2027
Many peoples, many tongues.
The story
Where it comes from
On 9 August 1982 the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations met for the first time, in Geneva. It gave Indigenous peoples a place to speak at the UN, and its work led to a draft declaration on their rights. In resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994, the UN General Assembly chose the anniversary of that first meeting as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. It celebrates the cultures, languages and knowledge of an estimated 476 million Indigenous people living in some 90 countries.
How it's celebrated
UN agencies, including UNESCO, mark the day with events and campaigns, and the General Assembly encouraged governments to observe it at home. Indigenous communities share their music, dance, crafts, food and stories, and museums, schools and libraries hold talks and screenings. For anyone it is a good day to read an Indigenous author, visit a museum of Indigenous culture or learn a few words of an Indigenous language spoken near you.
Did you know
- Indigenous people make up less than 6 per cent of the world's population but speak most of its estimated 7,000 languages.
- The UN has named 2022 to 2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
- In Malaysian Borneo, Indigenous harvest festivals have become state celebrations: Gawai Dayak in Sarawak on 1 June and Kaamatan in Sabah, which ends on 30 and 31 May.
Coming up next
- Founding of the Smithsonian · August 10, 2027
- World Steelpan Day · August 11, 2027
- Thai Mother's Day · August 12, 2027
- World Elephant Day · August 12, 2027
- International Youth Day · August 12, 2027
- International Left-Handers Day · August 13, 2027