Can anyone tell me please whether this is a bonafide word?

Indigineity

I have heard it but don't believe it.

it seems to be used in some contexts as the quality of being indigenous. (cf. paneity), so it should be spelled indigeneity (or more better, indigenousness).

-joe (what's in a word?) friday

I've seen it more often than I've seen indigenousness, and prefer it aurally, too.

381 Ghits tho I'm not sure if that means anything

me, too.

ditto. It's fodder for a double-dactyl!

Kia ora all,
Thanks for your replys. Without trying to be too puristic, I am of the mind that 'Indigenity' is correct as I cannot find 'Indigeneity' in the dictionary. I am currently editing a television article on the use of the word 'Native' and noted the word Indigeneity sliding into conversation. Is it perhaps that it is aurally and orally prettier?

>I cannot find 'Indigeneity' in the dictionary.

here we are again, in the "dictionary." well, according to OED3, indigenity is just as rare as indigenousness -- each with exactly one citation.

but let's take a look at the story of the search:
indigeneity - 105,000 ghits (0 OneLook hits.. but soon to change!)
indigenousness - 58,600 gh (6 OneLook hits)
indigenity - 750 gh (1 OneLook hit)

-joe (with head too far in dictionary) friday

Sounds like it ought to mean ancestors or relatives looking down on us (from heaven?) and who are miffed by our behavior