mistaking africa chapter 8

Bethany Bell

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.

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.

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.

½ of

African

Societies

would be

excluded.

Ancient Rome:

“tribus”- Used to describe a unit of the roman state.

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”

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”

1600-1700

“tribe”- Still synonymous

with “nation” or “people”

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”

1600-1800

“tribe”- Still synonymous

with “nation” or “people”

Late – 18th Century

“tribe”- Used by Europeans to distinguish people

from themselves.

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”

1600-1800

“tribe”- Still synonymous

with “nation” or “people”

Late – 18th Century

“tribe”- Used by Europeans to distinguish people

from themselves.

19th Century:

“tribe”

- Implied political organizations

that were

primordial, backward, irrational

, and static.

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”

1600-1800

“tribe”- Still synonymous

with “nation” or “people”

Late – 18th Century

“tribe”- Used by Europeans to distinguish people

from themselves.

19th Century:

“tribe”

- Implied political organizations

that were primordial,

backward, irrational, and

static.

20th Century:“tribe”

1. (Colonialism) Closed

Boundaries/ Unchanging

customs.

2. (Anthropology) Constantly

changing and adapting.

Independence

across Africa (1960s)

made colonial

definitions irrelevant.

External pressures

caused tribes to

form.

Anthropologists influenced

the end of “tribe”

Large switch “ethnic group”

You’re

from Africa?

Cool!

What

tribe are

you from?

I am from the

Abagesera

Clan.

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?”

“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.

To pick one word

to represent

all of Africa is to

mistake Africa.

Africa is full of tribes!

• You don’t have to tiptoe around

referencing someone’s ethnicity.

• Ethnic diversity is a fact of life.

• Alternative Terms to “TRIBE”

1. Community2. Society

3. Village

4. Rural People

5. Lineage

6. Kin Group7. Clan

• Pre-colonial Africa

1. Band

2. Chiefdom

3. Kingdom

4. Empire

5. State

Questions?