| |
| | Africa: "Tribe" Background Paper, 2 |
 | | Its meaning, however, is probably closer to that of an "ethnic group" in a Western country than what Westerners understand by a "tribe." The word does not have negative undertones, or necessary implications of the degree of group loyalty, but refers to one's mother tongue and, to lesser extent, specific cultural traits. |
 | | Tribes were thus not ancient and traditional, but modern bureaucratic versions of the old small kingdoms. |
 | | An often-cited early statement by a prominent anthropologist rejecting the term is Aidan Southall, "The Illusion of Tribe," in Peter Gutkind, ed., The Passing of Tribal Man in Africa (Leiden: Brill, 1970), 28-51. |
| www.africaaction.org /docs97/eth9711.2.htm (2954 words) |
|