SoulAAn: Soul Autochthonous American

The ethnonym “Soulaan,” coined by its creators T-Roy, Maroc, and Dwayne Coleman (Midnight), stands as a powerful expression of identity for a distinct group within the Black American community. More than a simple ethnic designation, Soulaan is a declaration of the unique cultural, historical, and ancestral roots of Black Americans who descend from the survivors of chattel enslavement in the United States. This term speaks to the indigenous Black population of North America and places emphasis on their complex history, distinct from the narratives often used to define Blackness solely in terms of African ancestry. The roots of the word “Soulaan” are significant, symbolizing the deeply ingrained cultural association with “soul,” which has long been central to the identity of Black Americans. The inclusion of the double “a” in Soulaan refers specifically to “Autochthonous American,” a term that highlights the native origin of this group on the North American continent.

 

Autochthonous Americans: A Recognition of Pre-Colombian Existence

 

Jack D Forbes - “The Language of Race and the Evolution of Red-Black Peoples”

The concept of “Autochthonous American” is a key aspect of the Soulaan identity. It recognizes that the Black Americans descended from chattel slavery are not solely the product of African ancestry, but also an amalgamation of other indigenous peoples who have existed on the land for centuries before European colonization. We understand early America reclassified the Indigenous population as Negro and sold them into slavery. Thus racial categorization of Indian was defined under whatever new rule whites created, like it often depended on your phenotype and location, rather than ancestry. This indigenous identity is particularly important because it challenges the dominant narrative that views Black Americans as solely descended from African enslaved persons brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. Instead, it recognizes the rich tapestry of identities that Black Americans embody, which include pre-Columbian indigenous inhabitants of North America, the enslaved Africans brought during the 17th and 18th centuries, and their mixture with European settlers and Native American populations.

 

The term “Autochthonous,” meaning “native” or “indigenous” to a particular place, underscores the recognition of Black Americans as a people who are native to the land of North America through their deep historical presence and unique ethnogenesis. This term differentiates their lineage from more recent Black immigrants and emphasizes that Black Americans—specifically those descended from enslavement—are not merely the descendants of displaced Africans but a distinct group whose heritage is intertwined with the early peoples of the continent.

 

The Complex Amalgamation of Soulaan Identity

 

A key aspect of the Soulaan identity is its acknowledgment of the complex and multifaceted ancestry of Black Americans. Rather than adhering to a single narrative of origin, Soulaan embraces the reality that the indigenous Black American identity is the result of centuries of admixture. The approximately 400,000 Africans brought to North America during the 17th and 18th centuries were not isolated in their lineage; they intermingled with Native American populations, as well as European colonizers, creating a unique ethnogenesis.

The term

“Mulatto” historically referred to individuals of mixed African and Native American ancestry, often used to distinguish between different racial groups and morphologies present in early America. This classification held particular significance as it recognized a blend of Black and Native American identities, reflecting the complexity of racial relations and histories on the continent. Over time, however, the term became problematic and was formally removed from the U.S. Census in 1930. Despite the cessation of the term’s use, the people it once described continued to exist, complicating their racial and ethnic classifications in official records.

Census records from the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as those shown in the provided documents, reveal the fluidity and inconsistency in racial labeling. Individuals like Charles, who was labeled “Mulatto” despite both his parents and siblings being categorized as “Black,” highlight the challenges of racial classification systems. The removal of “Mulatto” as a term in 1930 did not erase the historical and lived realities of these individuals; instead, it contributed to the broader reclassification of Black Americans, further obscuring the presence of Black-Native ancestry in official narratives. This revision of racial terms reflects ongoing tensions about race, identity, and indigeneity in the U.S., and has left a lasting impact on how Black Americans, especially those with Native ancestry, are perceived and understood.

 

This cultural and genetic amalgamation distinguishes Soulaan from other ethnic or national groups that often define themselves in terms of singular ancestral origins. As a result, Soulaan identity does not seek to privilege any one strand of heritage—African, Native American, or European—but instead, honors the complexity of the blend that has given rise to a distinct group of people in North America. This emphasis on being “American” reflects the deep cultural and historical ties that indigenous Black Americans have to the land itself.

 

Soulaan as an Ethnic Designation, Not a Nationality

 

Crucially, Soulaan is defined as an ethnic designation rather than a nationality. It is not meant to be a blanket term for all Black people, nor does it apply to Black immigrants to the United States. Instead, it is a term used specifically to identify the native Black Americans whose ancestors were enslaved in the United States and who share in this complex amalgam of indigenous, African, and European ancestry. The Soulaan identity does not ignore or dismiss African ancestry, but it seeks to redefine the narrative by placing equal importance on the indigenous and other ancestries that make up the unique heritage of Black Americans.

 

In contrast to terms like “African American,” which implicitly ties Black Americans solely to Africa, Soulaan asserts a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of identity. It is a recognition that Black Americans are the product of centuries of history, survival, resistance, and cultural blending on North American soil. As a result, the term highlights the cultural and historical specificity of Black Americans who are descended from those enslaved within the United States, distinguishing them from Black individuals in other parts of the diaspora who may have different histories of migration and settlement.

 

Conclusion: Soulaan and the Legacy of Black Americans

 

The creation of the term “Soulaan” reflects a deep desire to reclaim and redefine the identity of Black Americans in a way that is true to their unique history and experiences. By embracing the concept of Autochthonous American, Soulaan recognizes the native Black population of North America as a distinct people, forged from a complex blend of African, Native American, and European ancestries. This term is a powerful statement of cultural pride, historical recognition, and self-determination.

 

In using the term Soulaan, the descendants of Black Americans from chattel enslavement are reclaiming their identity on their own terms—honoring the generations who endured the brutality of enslavement, the resistance to dehumanization, and the cultural creativity that has defined Black American life for centuries. Soulaan is not merely a designation; it is a declaration of the soul of a people whose story is deeply tied to the land and history of North America.