The document discusses how the concept of "tribe" has evolved over time and differs between African and Western contexts. It traces the word from its original Roman meaning referring to political units, through its use in the 13th-14th century to describe ancient societies, to the 19th century when Europeans applied it to African groups in a colonial context implying primitiveness. While tribe was cemented as an identity marker under colonialism, independence eroded that meaning for most Africans who identify with layers of affiliation beyond static tribe. The document advocates abandoning the term due to its colonial implications, instead using alternatives like community, society, or clan.

1.  
Bethany Bell

2.  The African idea of “tribe” is very different than
American idea of “tribe”.
 Modern African Tribes are… Modern
 The Myth of tribal Africa relies on imperialistic
concepts.

4. TRIBE:
1. One of five major types of political
organization;
band, tribe, chiefdom, confederacy, and
state.
2. A political group that comprises several
bands or lineage groups, each with similar
language and lifestyle and each occupying
a distinct territory.

5. ½ of TRIBE:
1. One of five major types of political
African organization;
band, tribe, chiefdom, confederacy, and
Societies state.
would be 2. A political group that comprises several
bands or lineage groups, each with similar
excluded. language and lifestyle and each occupying
a distinct territory.

6. Ancient Rome:
“tribus”
- Used to describe a
unit of the roman
state.

7. Ancient Rome:
“tribus”
- Used to describe a
unit of the roman
state.
13th- 14th century:
“tribe”
- Used to summarize the
different political
organizations of
Israel, Greece, Rome and
other ancient societies.
- e.g. “12 Tribes of Israel”

8. Ancient Rome: 1600-1700
“tribus” “tribe”
- Used to describe a - Still synonymous
unit of the roman with “nation” or
state. “people”
13th- 14th century:
“tribe”
- Used to summarize the
different political
organizations of
Israel, Greece, Rome and
other ancient societies.
- e.g. “12 Tribes of Israel”

9. Ancient Rome: 1600-1800
“tribus” “tribe”
- Used to describe a - Still synonymous
unit of the roman with “nation” or
state. “people”
13th- 14th century:
“tribe”
- Used to summarize the Late – 18th Century
different political “tribe”
organizations of
Israel, Greece, Rome and
- Used by Europeans
other ancient societies. to distinguish people
- e.g. “12 Tribes of Israel” from themselves.

10. Ancient Rome: 1600-1800 19th Century:
“tribus” “tribe” “tribe”
- Implied political organizations
- Used to describe a - Still synonymous
that were
unit of the roman with “nation” or primordial, backward, irrational
state. “people” , and static.
13th- 14th century:
“tribe” Late – 18th Century
- Used to summarize the “tribe”
different political
organizations of
- Used by Europeans
Israel, Greece, Rome and to distinguish people
other ancient societies. from themselves.
- e.g. “12 Tribes of Israel”

11. 19th Century:
Ancient Rome: 1600-1800 “tribe”
“tribus” “tribe” - Implied political organizations
- Used to describe a - Still synonymous that were primordial,
unit of the roman with “nation” or backward, irrational, and
static.
state. “people”
13th- 14th century:
“tribe” 20th Century:
Late – 18th Century
- Used to summarize the “tribe”
different political “tribe” 1. (Colonialism) Closed
organizations of - Used by Europeans Boundaries/ Unchanging
Israel, Greece, Rome and to distinguish people customs.
2. (Anthropology) Constantly
other ancient societies. from themselves. changing and adapting.
- e.g. “12 Tribes of Israel”

12.  Independence
across Africa (1960s)
made colonial
definitions irrelevant.
 External pressures
caused tribes to
form.

13.  Anthropologists influenced
the end of “tribe”
 Large switch “ethnic group”

14. You’re
from I am from the
Africa? Abagesera
Clan.
Cool!
What
tribe are
you
from?

15.  Most Africans do not generally equate tribes with
savage/primitive.
 Recognize layers of identity.
 Asking “What tribe are you from” would be like asking some
one in the United States “What is your socioeconomic class”
rather than “What do you do for a living?”

16. “American use of the word
“tribe” has dropped
dramatically since the 1970’s”
Two roots for continuing use of “tribe”
1. Ignorance
2. African Problems = African Primitiveness - Relieves western
civilizations of responsibility for share of causes in modern
African history.

17. To pick one word
to represent Africa is full
all of Africa is to of tribes!
mistake Africa.

19. • You don’t have to tiptoe around
referencing someone’s ethnicity.
• Ethnic diversity is a fact of life.
• Alternative Terms to “TRIBE”
1. Community
2. Society
3. Village
4. Rural People
5. Lineage
6. Kin Group
7. Clan
• Pre-colonial Africa
1. Band
2. Chiefdom
3. Kingdom
4. Empire
5. State

20. Questions?