In past, different families lived together and thet were known as tribe.
This lesson will discuss the meaning of a tribe, its characteristics, and its components. Additionally, we will provide some past and modern day examples of tribes in India.
Tribes
Have you ever heard someone ask something like, 'Where's my tribe?' It just means they are looking for their group of friends. Although the word tribe can be used in this way, it means so much more.
A common definition for a tribe is a group of people that all have common ancestry, or a common ancestor, a common culture, and live in their own enclosed society. Other names for a tribe are a clan, which is used in some European countries, and family. The idea of a tribe goes back to ancient times when Rome would create divisions within society due to class, family, and money. These divisions were tribes. This term has evolved while the people it describes may not have. Many tribes and tribal communities are in areas that lack industry. They live and create homes that do not accept the conveniences and behaviors of the present day, like the Aborigines in Australia who live in the wilderness of the Outback. They choose to be close to the land and follow the rules and lifestyle of their ancestors.
However, other tribes like the Native Americans in the United States do accept some of the modern conveniences while still following and carrying out the beliefs of the past. India is also known for their immense population of tribal communities with over 84 million people that are part of tribal communities. Out of the 84 million, they are divided up over a mere 50 different tribes.
Tribal Characteristics
There are a variety of characteristics that make up a tribe. We're going to go through some of the most common characteristics, but it's important to note that not all of these characteristics are present in all tribes. Each community is unique.