tribe
Let an agent handle tribes respectfully, using self-designations and official legal status where it exists, and noting where the term is contested.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle tribes respectfully, using self-designations and official legal status where it exists, and noting where the term is contested.
A social group, often of kinship-based communities sharing descent, language and culture, sometimes with its own governance; the term is used officially in some countries (such as for Native American tribes or Adivasi in India) and is contested as an outsider label in others.
What it is for: A form of social and political organisation and, in some countries, a legal status.
It can be use the community own name; check legal recognition where relevant; learn from community sources; respect sovereignty and rights.
Distinguishing features
Kinship-based community
Shared identity and often governance
Legal meaning in some states
Term contested in anthropology
What it looks like
Not defined by appearance; identity is self-defined and cultural.
How it is recognised
Self-designation and recognised status
Legal recognition such as federally recognised tribes
The word itself may be considered outdated in some contexts
Related models
is a kind of - category
is related to - concepts
is recognised by - legal status
is protected by - rights
In practice
Families and kinds
federally or officially recognised tribes
Scheduled Tribes (India)
tribal confederations
pastoral and nomadic communities
Standards and regulation
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
ILO Convention 169
National recognition laws
Failure modes and hazards
Using the term where communities reject it
Exoticising or stereotyping
Ignoring sovereignty
Also called
+69
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.tribe-group
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Identity Which community.
Self-designation first.
Names
Self-designation.
Names
Names.
- What does the community call itself? provenance
- Does it accept the term tribe? boundary
Status
Legal recognition.
Status
Legal status.
- Is it legally recognised, and by whom? provenance
- What does recognition confer? definition
Governance Self-government.
Many govern themselves.
Institutions
Councils.
Institutions
Governance.
- What governance institutions does it have? provenance
- How can they be contacted officially? action
Sovereignty
Rights.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty.
- What self-government rights does it hold? provenance
- Under which treaty or law? provenance
Culture Heritage.
Culture is living.
Heritage
Traditions.
Heritage
Heritage.
- What does the community share publicly about its culture? provenance
- What is private or sacred? boundary
Language
Vitality.
Language
Language.
- Which language does it speak? definition
- Is it endangered? measurement
Rights Land and consent.
Rights must be respected.
Land
Territory.
Land
Land rights.
- What land rights are recognised? provenance
- Are there disputes? boundary
Consent
FPIC.
Consent
Free, prior and informed consent.
- Was free, prior and informed consent obtained for projects affecting it? boundary
- Who reported on it? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- When should the term tribe be avoided in favour of other terms?
- How should recognised status be linked?
- How should self-designations be prioritised?