Melungeon
Pronunciation: /məˈlʌn.dʒən/ (muh-LUHN-juhn)
Definition:
A member of a distinct, historically mixed-ancestry community primarily found in the southeastern United States, especially in the Appalachian regions of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. Melungeons typically have a complex ancestral background, combining European, African, and Native American heritage. Historically, Melungeon’s faced discrimination and ambiguity about their ethnic identity, influencing their cultural experiences and communal identity.