Tribalism and Detribalization in Southern and Central Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Tribalism and Detribalization in Southern and Central Africa
Author:	Reader, D.H.
Year:	1970
Periodical:	Zambezia
Volume:	1
Issue:	2
Period:	January
Pages:	55-75
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	South Africa Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Subjects:	ethnicity acculturation Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Ethnic and Race Relations
External link:	https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/AJA03790622_519
Abstract:	When defining and using the concepts of tribe and detribalization, one has to realise that both terms shift in meaning according to the context. In analyzing the semantic aspects of tribalism, different dimensions of the concept are considered here. For instance, the state of living in tribes, in other words, the tribal cohesion among Africans in urban areas (= tribalism) or the keeping in contact with the tribal areas (= ruralism), the adherence to tribal values, which may be relevant in town and country (= the socalled 'tribalism'), and role-identification in tribal and extra-tribal contexts (= tribe). The process of detribalization is followed here along two lines of dimension: immigration and the way in which tribal values are dropped. In this context economic, socio-logical and psychological aspects of detribalization are analysed. The theoretical explanations and examples of the countries in question, are based on literature. Notes, tables, index, ref.