Tribes

Definition

Tribes are small-scale, egalitarian social groups that are typically characterized by kinship ties, shared cultural traditions, and a common language or dialect. They are a type of acephalous society, meaning they lack a centralized political authority or hierarchy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tribes are often nomadic or semi-nomadic, moving between different territories to follow resources and seasonal changes.
2. Decision-making in tribes is typically decentralized and based on consensus among the group members rather than a hierarchical authority.
3. Tribes often have a strong sense of collective identity and social cohesion, with members expected to contribute to the group's well-being and share resources.
4. Tribal societies are typically small, ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred individuals, allowing for close personal relationships and a high degree of social integration.
5. Tribes are often organized around a shared language, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, which help to reinforce their collective identity and social bonds.

Review Questions

• Describe the key characteristics that distinguish tribes from other types of social groups.
  • Tribes are characterized by their small scale, egalitarian structure, and strong kinship ties. They lack a centralized political authority and decision-making is based on consensus among the group members. Tribes are typically nomadic or semi-nomadic, moving between different territories to follow resources and seasonal changes. They have a strong sense of collective identity and social cohesion, with members expected to contribute to the group's well-being and share resources.
• Explain how the lack of a centralized political authority in tribes affects the way they organize and make decisions.
  • In the absence of a hierarchical leadership structure, tribes rely on a decentralized, consensus-based approach to decision-making. Rather than having a single authority figure or governing body, decisions are made collectively by the group members, who are expected to contribute their perspectives and reach an agreement that benefits the entire community. This egalitarian structure allows for a high degree of social integration and personal relationships, as well as a strong sense of collective identity and responsibility.
• Analyze how the nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle of tribes shapes their social and cultural characteristics.
  • The nomadic or semi-nomadic nature of tribal societies has a significant impact on their social and cultural characteristics. The need to constantly move between different territories to follow resources and seasonal changes fosters a high degree of adaptability and flexibility within the group. This lifestyle also reinforces the importance of shared cultural traditions, language, and religious beliefs, as these elements help to maintain a sense of collective identity and social cohesion even as the physical location of the tribe changes. Additionally, the mobility of tribes often requires a more egalitarian and decentralized approach to decision-making, as the group must be able to respond quickly to changing environmental conditions and resource availability.

Related terms

Acephalous Society: A society that lacks a centralized political authority or leadership hierarchy, such as tribes and bands.

Kinship:

The social relationships based on blood, marriage, or adoption that define an individual's position and responsibilities within a social group.

Band:

A small, mobile, egalitarian social group that is typically based on kinship and shared cultural traditions, similar to a tribe but more fluid in structure.