Estelusti Pronunciation: /ɛs.tɛˈluː.sti/ (es-teh-LOO-stee)
Definition: A Muskogee (Creek) language term meaning “black person,” used to refer to the Black Seminole people—descendants of African Americans who lived among the Seminole tribe in Florida. The term reflects the intertwined histories and relationships between Africans and Native Americans, including intermarriage and the enslavement of Africans by some Native Americans. As a result, many Americans today can trace both Black and Native ancestry. See Estelusti.
Example: The Estelusti played a significant role in Seminole society, with their heritage reflecting the mingling of African and Native American lineages.