Tribalism in simplified terms signifies one’s integration and loyalty towards his tribe. The concept is very old and usually has been a salient feature of primitive societies. Through the tribal mindset people tend and support their tribe more than other tribes for no other logical reason behind except their birth in that tribe.
The people in the ancient times who used to live together usually belonged to a single tribe for protection against fear and foreign offenders. Gradually the concept of the nation evolved and the people bonded with other tribes; developed larger groups and entered the civilized world.
Tribalism is an outdated societal structure. No longer practiced in the advanced countries, however, it is still a prominent feature of the developing societies, bearing no other outcomes except to promote prejudice, antagonism, hatred, jealousy and conflicts among people. Pashtun society in Pakistan, especially the rural areas, are in tight grip of tribalism in the modern scientific era of the 21st century. The people hate and weigh others through the lens of tribal recognition. They are unnecessarily so tribe-centric that if someone is asked for feeling more proud of his tribe or having a Ph.D. degree, definitely his response will be The Tribe without thinking for a single second. The society is clearly divided between “us” and “them”, dismantling pluralism, inclusiveness, and social harmony. The tribal tendency has engulfed the entire social structure in its lap unluckily.
Nevertheless, tribalism, once considered and practised as loyalty towards one’s tribe in a positive way, has now altered and is embodied in antagonism towards the others. It has promoted intolerance and frustration among people. The traditional decent values of peace and oneness have become obsolete; scepticism prevails in society.
The tribal mindset has caused a threat to meritocracy. The people favor and lobby for their tribesmen for official and public positions while ignoring capabilities and competence. Resultantly it yields backwardness, ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and socio-economic distress in the society. Moreover, the incompetent officers are posted in higher positions, thus jeopardizing social progress. Similarly, political and social sentiments are attached with the tribe at the time whenever needed. In this context, the political players while playing the tribal card cleverly mould the emotions of simple folk towards them, especially in the elections days ironically, and this is the reason that the tribalism still existing there.
Sociology develops two concepts in this regard. The Ascribed status and Achieved status. The former status indicates the status given by birth, where a person does not have to bear the brunt of gaining this status or position like being born as male gender-wise, the son of Nawab or Sardar or in any X or Y family or tribe. Likewise, the later status implies the status achieved through personal efforts of a person, like becoming a professor, doctor, engineer, or scientist. In this kind of status, a person does not obtain the benefit of his inborn or paternal legacy, but relies on his own capabilities.
The developed world and advanced countries always encourage and value achieved status to achieve the sublime targets. They ask for knowledge and skills, rather than what can someone does for them. They never ask for a tribal or even racial background, how someone’s tribe is more powerful, or his father was legendary. Both statuses are contrary to each other in terms of their preferences and scope. Regrettably, in the tribal societies ascribed status is still given more importance than the achieved status. The tribal status is preferred more than the achievements and hard work of any other person. Tribal background is set as a yardstick to assess the individuals.
The prominent causes behind the intense tribal mindset in developing societies are the limited resources, inadequate government jobs, and the fear of their ancestral land being grabbed by the aliens. Moreover, greed and acquisition for better education, healthcare and other opportunities and facilities, more representation in political, power and official structures, occupying a larger number of positions in the government offices than the other tribes, and preventing settlers and aliens from availing their jobs are the outstanding causes making people tend towards a tribal mentality.
Nevertheless, political parties can also contribute significantly in reducing tribalism and to promote a holistic approach. The trends of the modern era like individualism, competition, merit, quality and achievements should be given more importance. So that the people feel more proud of their nation rather than the tribe.
Tribalism is a societal cancer. It can be minimized when the people are given standard education. They are given awareness about the drawbacks and negative impacts of this ulcer. Create the atmosphere of competition and promote merit. Highlight the stories of successful nations in order to discourage the limited approach and thinking of the people. Establish joint sessions, programmes and stress upon humanity and the nation as a whole rather than having a fragmented tribal mindset. Call for the golden principles of Islam stressing upon collectiveness, pluralism and brotherhood. Additionally, the parents should also socialize their children in terms to promote cohesion and mutual peace, denounce narrowmindedness and prejudice. Moreover, the notables and influential should also play their sincere role in bringing the people closer to one another.
Nevertheless, political parties can also contribute significantly in reducing tribalism and to promote a holistic approach. The trends of the modern era like individualism, competition, merit, quality and achievements should be given more importance. So that the people feel more proud of their nation rather than the tribe.
The situation can be best articulated in the words of former Jordanian ambassador and deputy prime minister Marwan Muasher when he grieved upon the uncontrolled tribal monopoly and said that “I wish to see people proud because they are part of a professional organization, not because they are members of a big tribe”. He further desired that the people may feel proud of their personal achievements, not of their cousins and family, and above all he wished the people were proud of no other surnames but Jordanians only”.
