pre-colonial
Prior to imperialism
Pre-colonial describes the period before a region came under colonial rule by a foreign power: pre-colonial African kingdoms, pre-colonial trade routes.
The term frames history relative to colonization, often to emphasize indigenous cultures, governance, and economies that existed before European expansion disrupted them.
Originating from a place
- aboriginalIndigenous to a place
- autochthonousOriginating where found
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
heritage · homelands · territories · peoples · societies · cultures · languages · kinship
Related group sharing ancestry
- chieftainLeader of a tribe
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- kinshipState of being related
- eldersSenior community members
shaman · rituals · folklore · ancestors · totem · matrilineal · patrilineal · nomadic
Great age, ancient era
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
- civilizationsComplex organized human societies
- empiresExtensive ruled territories
- dynastiesSuccessive rulers from one family
pyramids · temples · ruins · ziggurats · acropolis · amphitheaters · monoliths · hieroglyphs
Not damaged or degraded
- untouchedNot contacted or affected
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- virginOne sexually inexperienced
- undisturbedFree from interference
intact · unexplored · uncolonized · autonomous · sovereign · self-governing · independent · unoccupied
native
Originating from a place
- aboriginalIndigenous to a place
- autochthonousOriginating where found
- ancestralOf one's forebears
traditional · heritage · homelands · territories · peoples · societies · cultures · languages · kinship · customs
clan
Related group sharing ancestry
elders · shaman · rituals · folklore · ancestors · totem · matrilineal · patrilineal · nomadic · hunter-gatherer
antiquity
Great age, ancient era
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
- civilizationsComplex organized human societies
- empiresExtensive ruled territories
dynasties · pyramids · temples · ruins · ziggurats · acropolis · amphitheaters · monoliths · hieroglyphs · sphinx
unspoiled
Not damaged or degraded
- untouchedNot contacted or affected
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- virginOne sexually inexperienced
undisturbed · intact · unexplored · uncolonized · autonomous · sovereign · self-governing · independent · unoccupied · original
maritime
Of the sea
- navigationDetermining position and course
- caravansGroups traveling together
- merchantsThose who conduct commerce
barter · gold · ivory · spices · textiles · salt · trans-Saharan · commerce · exchange · markets
- Philippine historypresidents, Spanish rule, vice president, revolutionaries, Imelda
pre-colonialcolonial
Of occupied territories
post-colonial · colonial-era · post-independence · neocolonial · decolonized