28th November
Musings....... A tribe is defined in anthropology as a human social group. The exact meaning of the word tribe is considered controversial because of its association with colonialism. In general use, the term may have a negative connotation as it may refer to people who are perceived to be primitive. The system of classification for societies from anthropological point of view, is based on evolution of social inequality and the role of the state. It contains- 1) Hunter Gatherer bands that are generally egalitarian 2) Tribal societies with some limited instances of social rank and prestige. 3) Stratified tribal societies led by chieftains 4) Civilizations, with complex social hierarchies and organised institutional governments We obviously belong to the fourth category and the now well known Sentinelese tribe belong to the first category. The Sentenelese are an uncontacted tribe living on North Sentinal Island, one of the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. They are the ...