While it has been said that all men are created the same and regarded on equal footing, the real world – in an irrevocable responsibility – has created a seemingly thin hymenal line which in effect placed them each into a particular category.
In a world geared towards modernization and consumerism, men are now characterized and associated with higher standards of living as well as remarkable sophisticated relations with other beings of their kind. Although modernity has enable them to acquire a much-refined stature, it cannot be disregarded that their counterpart still exists depicting an attitude quite contradictory from what has been currently possessed by the so-called ‘modern’ man.
The counterparts of the modern man have been commonly referred to as ‘tribal people.’ People belonging to a tribe are described as a descent and kinship-based group in which subgroups are clearly linked to one another, with the potential of uniting a large number of local groups for common defense or warfare.[1]
Most tribal people are located in the continent of Africa. There has been almost 412 native tribes each having their distinct and unique tribal culture and behaviors. Of the 412 native tribes, about 26 are now known widespread. These includes the tribes of: Afar, Anlo-Ewe, Amhara, Ashanti, Bakongo, Bambara, Bemba, Berber, Bobo, Bushman, Chewa, Dogon, Fang, Fon, Fulani, Ibos, Kikuyu (Gikuyu), Maasai, Mandinka, Pygmies, Samburu, Senufo, Tuareg, Wolof, Yoruba and Zulu.[2]
Each of people belonging to these groups – as earlier mentioned – possesses varied characteristics and attitudes which could only be associated with a particular tribe. These attitude and or behavior, to some, may not be pleasing as what has been accustomed with the modern man.
Occupying the southeastern corner of the Republic of Ghana are the Anlo-Ewe people which considered dance drumming as an integral part of their cultural lives. Through the said activity, the Anlo-Ewe people were able to share their experiences to other members of their group. Participation is however mandatory. It has been said that non-participation from the dance drumming activity is tantamount to ‘self excommunication from society as a whole’ as well as confronting ‘severe consequences in a similar manner as non performance of some civic obligations in other cultures of the world.’ For the Anlo-Ewe people, those who opted not to take part with the activity are penalized by an outright ‘denial of a proper burial.’ It has been said that a good and decent burial is one of the important cultural traditions of the Anlo-Ewe tribe.[3]
Meanwhile, a large ethnic group called Bembas can be found inhabiting the northeastern province of Zambia. They are most commonly referred to as the ‘forest people.’ One of the salient features of these people is that they are closely-bonded with their immediate as well as those extended family members. However, once the girls reached the puberty stage and their breasts begin to develop, they would undergo a ceremony called Chisungu. This ceremony enables these girls to be placed in a hut for about six weeks to a maximum of three months to be trained for cooking as well as motherhood activities. They should not engage themselves in any sexual intimacies as pregnancies would result to a ban. On the other hand, the boys will not undergo any ceremony when they attain the same phase.[4]
In addition, the Samburu tribe lived somewhere in the foothills of Mount Kenya. They are fond of taking care of animals especially sheep, goats and camels.
It has been also said that milk consists their staple food and it is sometimes mixed with blood. Meat can only be eaten not on a daily basis but barely on special occasions. Cattle-raising as well as warfare has been incorporated in their lifestyle. The Samburu people opted to remain traditional and failed to accept the benefits of modern life. One of the salient features of these people is that duties are well-delineated. Girls are made to do lighter household chores while boys are taught to herd cattle and hunt. Both of them undergo a certain ritual once they reach the adult stage apart from adult responsibilities. Boys have to undergo circumcision while the girls are made to undertake clitoridectomy.[5]
Dominating the eastern plains of Africa is the Maasai tribe or much commonly known as herders and warriors. Their herds are made to move from one place to another in order to make communal land tenure system possible. This system enables them to share access of water and pasture. Apart from their economic life, the people of Maasai are quite different as they are made to separate young men and girls from elders. It has been a tradition to them that a young woman has to get married immediately to an older man once she reaches the puberty stage. Until such a time, she may live and have sexual pleasures with youthful warriors. It has also been said that Maasai women remain closely related to former boyfriends even after she gets married. She may even engage in active sexual and social relations with them.[6]
The Senefou people, on the other hand, follow a strict caste-like system just like those living in India. In their own caste system, the farmer is at the top and the musicians are on the bottom rung of the society.
To them, farming is their means of living. It has been said that one of the great honors for a Senefou male is to become the sambali, or champion cultivator. The sambali is respected throughout the region and in his old age is given predominantly leadership roles. Another society for Senefou males is the poro. The poro is usually located in the forest and serves as a school for young men until they reach adulthood. Much sculptured work is made in the poro this is where much of the wood carvings, brass sculptures, and masks are made. Sometimes these are sold to local artisans. The greatest achievement for a Senefou woman is the ability to cook well. If a girl or woman cannot cook well it is a great shame to the family, especially the mother. The womans society, known as the sandogo is mainly responsible for divination. In addition, the Senefou believes that everything is a result of the ancestor spirits. If a ritual is not performed correctly then the spirit will cause draught, infertility, or prolonged illness.[7]
On the other hand, decentralized Bobo people lived in the western part of Burkina Faso and Mali for many years. They are popularly known to be wearing masks during celebrations. It has been said that masks are ‘used to bring bush spirits to chase evil from their community and to purify the land for successful planting and harvest.’ The masks are made from fiber, cloth, leaf, and wood and have geometric designs and are usually worn with costumes made from leaf and fiber. The purification rituals last for three days and are usually before the planting season and after the harvest. The masks are also used at men’s initiations and funerals.
During funeral rituals the wearers of the Bobo masks comfort the spirits of the dead and partake in a series of rituals that lead them to the afterworld. Funeral ritual dances are full of energy and use drums and bells designed to wake the dead and instruct them to leave.[8]
Apart from these, the Bobo tribe also has a strong belief that ‘every act that takes something from nature has a negative impact. It has been a custom that prior to crop planting and harvesting, the Bobo tribe holds rituals asking permission from the nature spirits and their creator god, Wuro. They believe Wuro is responsible for nature’s equilibrium and bringing everything into harmony. Wuro cannot be described or represented by sculpture. It has been inscribed that their goal is to maintain the balance of nature.
According to their tradition, the order of nature is restored be making sacrifice as well as numerous ceremonies. As earlier mentioned, their primary god Wuro is responsible for the order in the lands. The second god named Dwo is then revealed during the mask ceremonies. It has been said that the second god opted to ‘live in a mask until worn when his when his spirit is caught up in the spirit of the wearer who is then able to communicate to others Dwo’s will.’
With the different tribes carefully chosen above, it has been established that a tribal society is often characterized with varying economic and cultural patterns. Social as well as familial structure always includes the immediate as well the extended family members. Just like the typical family structure in a modern time, the tribal people also has shown that even if they lack a certain degree of educational background, they were able to show outmost love and concern to all the members of their family.
They were also able to share whatever blessings they have even to other members of their group. However, it has also been established that some of the tribal people opted their children to marry at such a young age. To some, it comprises a certain belief and is primarily backed up with their tradition, which must be faithfully followed. Some of these tribes also undergo certain rituals once their children reach adulthood like clitoridectomy.
The tribal people are also depicted to have varied way of life compared with the modern man. Some of the tribal people still opted to use agricultural products as well as primitive cattle-raising in order to sustain their families. Apart from these, they usually eat vegetables instead of meat products. It has been established that most of the tribal people only ate meat products on special occasion. In addition, there has been no mention of what has been their staple food but some opted to drink milk mixed with blood.
Aside from the typical economic activity of the tribal people, some would also engage in beadwork and basketry. These little things or rather work of art forms part and parcel of their primary sustenance. The beadworks also serve as an adornment for their women apart from forming part of their business. Some has been widely known or rather associated with the quality of work they have made through these beads or baskets.
The tribal people are also afraid of changes especially if they have already been accustomed with their own traditions and practices. To them, even engaging in a simple political exercise is a big misnomer.
With this, it cannot really be helped but to wonder how amazingly different people could be despite the fact that they are made equal and just the same features. It has been truly a great thing that despite the indifferences, the culture has been preserved amidst the fact that the world has been changing in a fast-paced mode.
WORKS CITED:
1. “Glossary – Cultural Anthropology”. Wayne State University – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. April 4, 2001 <http://www.anthro.wayne.edu/ant2100/GlossaryCultAnt.htm>
2. Roy, Christopher. “Maasai Tribe.” Minnesota State University Mankato.
<http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/maasai_tribe.html>
3. “African People and Culture” Africaguide.com page.
<http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/index.html>
4. Maday, Erin. “Bemba” February 14, 2007.
<http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/africa/bemba.html>
5. “Bobo” 2006. <http://www.forafricanart.com/Bobo_ep_37-1.html>
[1] “Glossary – Cultural Anthropology” Wayne State University – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (April 4, 2001): 1.
[2] “African People and Culture” http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/index.htm (1996-2007):1
[3] “African People and Culture” http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/index.htm (1996-2007):1
[4] Maday, Erin. “Bemba” http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/africa/bemba.html ( February 14, 2007): 1
[5] “African People and Culture” http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/index.htm (1996-2007):1
[6] Roy, Christopher. “Maasai” http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/maasai_tribe.html
[7] http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/senufo.htm
[8] http://www.forafricanart.com/Bobo_ep_37-1.html
