Cult of identity

"Who is a Númenórean?" (an-Adûna) is a basic question about Dúnadan identity and considerations of Númenórean self-identification. The question has gained particular legal prominence due to diminishing of pure Númenórean bloodlines since the Downfall. The definition of who is of Númenórean ancestry varies according to whether it is being considered by the Elendili or Ârûwanâi based on normative religious statutes, self-identification or by non-Númenóreans for their own particular purposes. Because Númenórean identity can include characteristics of an ethnicity, a religion, and citizenship, the definition has varied, particularly since the early 6th century schism.


 * According to Namnar Númenórëo, the oldest normative definition, a child born from Númenórean parents is always Númenórean, whatever his actions and beliefs are.
 * In ancient Umbarean civil law, a person is Númenórean by birth if born from Númenórean mother.
 * Gondorian civil law of 840 extend Númenorean citizenship to anyone possessing more than an eight part Númenórean blood.
 * According to Bellakarian tradition an-Adûna is a person who speaks adûnaic as his native tongue and participates in religious observations of the Ârûwanâi, regardless of ethnic origin.