Ray Buursma: The horrors of tribalism
"Love of money is the root of all evil.”
I agree with most of this statement, but I disagree with the qualifier “all.” Greed may be the taproot, but there are many offshoots. One of the deepest creates all manner of calamity including hatred, mayhem and murder — hell on earth. That root, tribalism, is as old as mankind. The horrors it creates are pervasive, persistent, and perpetual.
Origins of tribalism
Anthropologists tell us man has always been tribal. He had to be. In the wild, solitary man had little chance to survive. He was weaker, slower, and ill-suited for a brutal, natural world. But those who organized survived, and those who organized best survived the longest. Hence, the formation of tribes.
Tribes developed particular characteristics — skin, hair and eye color. They spoke the same language, ate the same food, worshipped the same spirits, sang the same songs, and proclaimed the same values. These similarities not only identified the tribe, they cemented it
But there was a downside.
Tribe vs. tribe
When dissimilar tribes crossed paths, differences led to suspicion which led to distrust which led to conflict which led to battle which led to war. Tribes fought for territory, food, resources, but even that wasn’t enough. When physical characteristics alone couldn’t mark tribes, behavioral features were mandated. Tribes sang particular songs and swore loyalty oaths. They donned uniforms and waved flags. Woe to those who would not stand for an anthem to pledge loyalty.
Most tribes practiced a particular religion and persecuted those unwilling to participate. Tribes battled those professing contrary beliefs, and slaughter in the name of their deity was common.
A united Christian Europe split into Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Protestants separated, following either Luther, Calvin, Knox, Zwingli, Wycliffe or others. Even those factions split. Calvinists splintered because of song choice, educational practices for children, communion requirements, etc. Today, homosexuality beliefs divide many religious tribes.
Middle Eastern tribes are particularly torn, by religion and genealogy. Most of these tribes trace their bloodline through Shem, one of Noah’s three sons (Consider the term ’S(h)emite’, of which Jews are only a small portion), and even further down the line through Abraham.
Why, then, the differences? Why did this tribe of Semites split? Because of two women.
Israelis claim lineage through Abraham’s wife, Sarah, while many non-Jews in the Middle East claim theirs through Hagar, Abraham’s “concubine wife.” The Hagar tribes eventually embraced Islam, but even that was short-lived. After Mohammed’s death, one Muslim faction (Sunnis) followed Abu Bakr and another (Shiites) followed Ali. They have been, and still are, at odds.
In our DNA
Man continues creating new tribes which furthers division.
The most ridiculous creation involves athletics. Modern sports are like little tribal wars. Supporters fly flags, don colors, and sing tribal songs. Tribe members (fans) have assaulted and even killed opponents, sometimes simply for wearing contrary clothing or face paint, and sometimes for cheering on their own tribe within the other tribe’s perceived “borders."
Decades ago, Americans splintered into Red and Blue political tribes. Their loyalty to their tribe sometimes supersedes their American heritage and usually supersedes reason, logic and values. Tribal supporters, following their leaders, insult and demean the opposing tribe, regardless how sensible the thoughts and actions of their opposition.
Sometimes even these two political tribes splinter further. Just last month, Red Americans, a group known for “team play,” split in the House of Representatives. They fired their speaker and failed to select a new one. Unable to govern themselves, they still sought to govern the country. The Red and Blue tribes rarely collaborate, or so it appears.
Ill effects
Tribalism has led to slavery and genocide. It has led to all manner of war, political breakdown, claims of superiority, oppression, maltreatment, aggression, hostility, and, most importantly, justification for all these listed offenses.
Part of the human condition
You might hope modern man, with his wealth of knowledge, would recognize the dangers of tribalism. You would hope wrong. More than ever, mankind promotes and embraces tribalism, despite its accompanying hatred, assaults and murder.
You might hope religions could counter the horrors caused by tribalism, but many of the worst afflictions were created by religious zealotry.
Sadly, tribalism is ingrained in human DNA, and there is no easy solution. Attempts to promote common humanity through programs promoting integration, diversity, inclusion, and equality are often opposed, ironically because of tribalism. This further escalates the problem.
If you’re looking for a silver lining in this cloud of despair, that lining is thin. Our only hope is to recognize the dangers of our propensity to form tribes and seek alternatives. Sadly, there’s little chance that will happen, especially on a large scale.
— Community Columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of Holland. Contact him at writetoraybuursma@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ray Buursma: The horrors of tribalism
