Tribalism belongs to the field of ethnosociology. The word is derived from the Latin word tribus „tribalism“ or from the English word tribalism „tribal consciousness“ or tribe „tribe“.
Tribalism – a feeling
It describes the feeling of belonging to a tribe and orienting oneself to the interests of one’s own tribe in terms of society, culture and politics (cf. Duden 2017, 1118). The cause of tribalism is considered to be the arbitrary drawing of borders by European colonial powers, in which no consideration was given to ethnic and historical backgrounds (cf. Lentz 1995, 118 f.). Tribalism also refers to the tribal politics in several African states. The many individual tribes and their associated interests make state formation difficult, and there are also frequent ethnic conflicts (cf. Brockhaus 2010, 7811). The reason for this is competing tribal interests (cf. Matthies 1971, 35). Well-known theorists of tribalism are John Lonsdale and Carola Lentz.
Words like tribalism and tribe have negative connotations due to their usage. That is why nowadays we speak of ethnicity or ethnic group (cf. Mader 2000, 4; cf. Nnoli 1982, 103). Tribalism is sometimes only used to express an extreme form of ethnicity (cf. Mader 2000, 5).
The ‚New Tribalism‘
The philosopher Daniel Quinn has founded the ‚New Tribalism‘. He uses it to describe a tolerant, egalitarian, and cooperative small group of people that differs from communism in its small size. This, he argues, has been a proven form of society for millennia and is the best that humans can achieve (see Quinn 1999, 29).
Today, tribalism is furthermore used for marketing by companies that want to create a ‚we-feeling‘ and subsequently a stronger attachment to the brand (cf. Wissert 2014, 87).
Literature
Brockhaus (2010): The pocket encyclopedia in 24 volumes. Gütersloh/ Munich: Brockhaus in wissenmedia.
Duden (2017): German spelling. 27th ed. Berlin: Bibliographisches Institut.
Lentz, Carola (1995): ‚Tribalism‘ and ethnicity in Africa – a research overview. In: Leviathan. Vol. 23. h. 1. Baden-Baden: Nomos, 115-145.
Lonsdale, John (1993): State power and moral order. The invention of tribalism in Africa. In: The Overview. Vol. 3, 5-10.
Mader, Thomas (2000): Ethnicity and tribalism in sub-Saharan Africa in their social and spatial problematics. Munich: Grin.
Matthies, Volker (1971): Black Africa. Political conflicts and development strategies. Opladen: Leske.
Nnoli, Okwudiba (1982): Tribalism or ethnicity: ideology versus science. In: Jestel, Rüdiger (ed.): The Africa of Africans. Society and Culture of Africa. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 99-128.
Quinn, Daniel (1999): Beyond Civilization. Humanity’s Next Great Adventure. New York City: Broadway Books.
Wissert, Stefan (2014): (Semi-) Ethnomarketing: Marketing for people with a one-sided migration background. Hamburg: Diplomica.