What does 'tribe' mean to you?...

Posted by Nadine on 18.09.2008

@Sheikh - I wonder how we can introduce new tribes. I like the word. I like the meaning of it in Arabic and the authentic cultural definition. We've certainly forgotten the essence of what a tribe is all about, and we've absused that in present day, and that's a shame. Something that is quite beautiful and powerful, and part of who we are, we've chosen to make it ugly and shun it.

I think Jordan needs a new tribe!

@Shalabieh - yes to a certain extent but with a strong belief that binds them to an idea and a group/community. And a tribe is about leadership and inspiration and vision for everyone - a vision made real thru committed and powerful actions.

@Zeeno - you're right.... protecting their own as long as there's leadership and objectives and a movement in motion.

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Posted by Shalabieh on 12.09.2008

Nadine, arent these new tribes then just social groups and cliques with their own set of rules and support systems, it just using an old label for a newer model.

Tribes can be positive things when you look at the collective care and support that they offer.

I think that we like the idea of being part of groups and being part of a social system that looks after us in a way or another. We all want to belong. THe new tribes you describe only mean we have redifined the social structure we work within.

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Posted by sheikh on 10.09.2008

Hmmm. You can call any social order a "tribe". In this sense, humanity have been creating "tribal systems" to manage their "collective" existense, wheather ideological, blood-based, class-based, etc. And in this sense, why should we prefer one form over another? People will always choose what works better for them.

Nevertheless, going back to the social form very familiar in our societies, I think the "Tribe", the cultural system that is associated with it is a hinderance to the progress of our societies. I picture it as opposed to "LAW"... It is an old form that is no more useful. It negates the "citizen" concept, and doesn't allow the existence of "Other tribes".... :)

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Posted by zeeno on 10.09.2008

mmm the support system, also really knowing someone has got your back. Protecting their own. I guess its all about different levels of security.

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Posted by Nadine on 10.09.2008

If we ferret around the tribe concept as we know it, what are the good traits of tribes that work for you?

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Posted by Nadine on 09.09.2008

Being a member of triiibes is what triggered the question above here actually! It's been an incredible force of shifting perspective and I'm tinkering with some of the things I'm learning. And although you can't see triiibes.com till next month, they can see you and I've linked this page to a discussion :)

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Posted by razano on 09.09.2008

I am open to that thought Nadine! Anyway, I just stumbled on this site triiibes.com its in private beta until October 2008, might be related to this tribe view. wait they say "For people who want to lead a tribe and make something happen" mmmmm i will keep a watch on it till its launched!

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Posted by Nadine on 08.09.2008

SXTZ - YES! That's a perfect example of a tribe. I love it. I can't imagine surviving my 80s/90s without those tribes. They cast a safety net for everyone, and we all got that and contributed to weaving it.

Shalabieh - thanks for the welcome - glad to be here!

Q to you & Razano - what if you created new tribes without any of the old rules/mindsets we have of tribes in our culture?

I think you're doing just that thru this site by the way - leading a new kind of tribe :)

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Posted by razano on 06.09.2008

My thoughts about the word "tribe" is something similar to what Shalabieh said, laws that govern the day-to-day lives of a group of people, with a stated leader and hierarchy.

As for what you said SXTZ, I call that "new kinds of families" instead of tribes.

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Posted by SXTZ on 06.09.2008

As someone who experienced some summers of love : Those being from 1988 to 1998!), I became aware of the terms "New Age Wanderers" & The Clubbing Tribes, a bunch of people with no gender specifics who cared about one another and protected each other from getting hurt whether it was through Booze or whatever, we offered each other shelter whenever we travelled, and you could be certain that even if you popped into a city unannounced you had a roof over your head and aplace to crash, nearly everything was shared.

That to me is a tribe, people who nurture and care for one another, who love each other with no regrad for class, creed or colour systems. People who protect you and nurse you back to health one your lover has left you died or whatever, the ones when you phone them say leave now come to us we will help you get over your troubles, find you work, make you forget if only for a little while.

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Posted by Shalabieh on 05.09.2008

Hmmm first welcome to queslter nadine, its great hearing what u have to say :)

Tribe to me is a man made social construct that is predominatly male, patricrcial, and mysoginistic. It is an umbrella where people in family units are made to feel part of a bigger unit that offers social order, hiearchy and protection.

They are oppressive in ways since everyone has to conform, and follow to the social order and adhear to the thought, and actions of a tribal leader.

For some there are positives to beingn part of a tribe. As a woman those positives are somewhat oppressive.

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