Tribalism
Tribalism is a method of social organization that has worked for humans for 200,000 years. It is a social structure and does not imply anything about the levels of technology or material wealth or luxuries within that society. It is not about being "primitive" or about living in voluntary simplicity; it is merely a way of organizing ourselves.
Our culture is blind to the benefits of this structure because we are conditioned to see the world as hierarchical city/state = good and decentralized non-hierarchical communities = bad.
People employing the hierarchical social model have been experimenting with human social structure. This experiment is 10,000 years old and has now shown itself to be a complete failure.
The indigenous model is also an experiment. But it is a 200,000 year old experiment that has proven itself to work. As we look to the future and wonder how the human race will continue amidst the destruction our culture has caused, we should look to our ancestors and see what lessons we can learn from how they lived.
Tribal Life Is A Lifestyle That Worked
We are taught to detest indigenous people but in fact their lifestyle was highly successful. It wasn't perfect and I'm not idealizing it, but it was a viable way for humans to live. As our way of life has brought the world to the brink in a short space of time, it would do us good to look to our ancestors and understand how they managed to live in accord with the world.
Tribal Structure vs Civilized Structure
Tribes exist for the benefit of their members. Civilization exists for the benefit of those at the top of the hierarchy. Civilization is all about power and control whereas tribes exist as a means to provide people with the ability to make a living. The manner in which civilization operates is inherently unsustainable while tribes can continue ad infinitum.
The Importance Of Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity is just like biodiversity - it provides strength and resistance. Indigenous cultures exist alongside each other without trying to make their neighbors like themselves. But civilization doesn't recognize the importance of cultural diversity. Civilization's aim is to absorb all of humanity's cultures into its sphere of influence so they can serve the interests of the hierarchy.
Tribalism vs Civilization - Survival Of The Fittest
Because civilization has pushed indigenous people into the remotest corners of the globe we wrongly assume that it is the fittest. But tribes have stood the test of time whereas civilization is imploding after a mere 10,000 years. They have been temporarily displaced but they will survive the distance in the long run.
A Way Of Life That Works For People As They Are
Humans are unpredictable creatures. We have the ability to be extremely generous or totally selfish. The beauty of tribes is that they don't rely on people being any better than they are. It functioned with people being unpredictable beings. But our society is obsessed with turning everybody into little walking Buddhas, where there is no crime and where we are all environmental saints.
Why Tribal Law Is So Effective
In an indigenous society their law isn't a statute in a book. They are their law and their law is them. It is a fundamental part of their lives; they live it and breathe it. But instead of giving a list of prohibited behaviours their law accepts that people will do bad things. Instead of outlawing things, their law provides a way of dealing with issues when they arise.
Why People Like Tribes
People like tribes because of the sense of belonging. You don't work for a tribe, you support it and it supports you in return. The tribe works equally for all members. There is no one at the top who makes a living off the suffering of others. If one person has to suffer then everyone suffers.
Tribal Business
Indigenous living is no longer an option for most people in the modern world. However what is an option is tribal business. Businesses structured in the same way an indigenous tribe is, without the hierarchical model. That doesn't mean being primitive; we can have any occupations and organise them in a different way.
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