Mistaking africa chapter 8
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Transcript of 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?