Tribe Meaning

UK /traɪb/
US /traɪb/
Word Definition
tribe meaning

Tribe Definition & Usage

noun

A group of people, typically with common ancestry, culture, language, and traditions, often living in a specific geographic area.

Examples

  • "The tribe has lived in this remote valley for generations, maintaining their traditions."
  • "She studied the customs of the indigenous tribe during her anthropology internship."
  • "The tribe's language is spoken only by a few hundred people worldwide."
  • "They are a proud tribe, known for their intricate beadwork and storytelling."
  • "The tribe's elders gather every month to discuss important community issues."
noun

A group of people with common interests, values, or goals, often used informally to refer to social groups or communities.

Examples

  • "They're part of the same tech tribe, always attending startup events together."
  • "The group of musicians formed their own tribe, supporting each other's careers."
  • "At the concert, you could feel the connection between everyone in the tribe of music lovers."
  • "She found her tribe at the yoga retreat, bonding over shared practices and philosophies."
  • "He's always been a part of the gaming tribe, always connecting with fellow gamers online."
verb

To group together or form a community based on common interests or identity.

Examples

  • "We tribe up for weekend hiking trips to escape the city."
  • "They've been tribing together for years, organizing community events."
  • "A new online platform has helped many individuals tribe up based on their shared love for photography."
  • "The teenagers tribed up to discuss their favorite bands and albums."
  • "We tribe together every year for a family reunion at the beach."

Cultural Context

The concept of a tribe dates back to early human history, where small groups of people lived together in communal societies with shared cultural practices. Traditionally, tribes were often organized by kinship, with social roles, customs, and rituals passed down through generations. In modern times, the term 'tribe' has expanded to describe groups united by shared interests, regardless of geographical or familial connections.

The Circle of the Tribe

Story

The Circle of the Tribe

In a remote village nestled between towering mountains, the people of the Akinu tribe gathered at dawn for their daily rituals. Their skin, darkened by the sun, glistened as they moved in synchrony, the elders chanting softly while the younger members danced in circles. It was a tradition that had lasted for centuries, passed down from the very first ancestors who had wandered into this valley seeking refuge from the outside world. Among them was Elana, a young woman with dreams of a world beyond the confines of her tribe. Although she cherished the connection she felt to her people, she often wondered about the lives of those in distant cities. One day, she ventured to the nearest town and was surprised by how quickly she connected with a group of travelers—each one a member of their own 'tribe' united by a love for adventure and discovery. Elana found herself in an unexpected situation: she was part of two tribes now. The first was her ancestral tribe, grounded in generations of history and culture, and the second, a new tribe of wanderers bound by shared curiosity and the desire to explore. As she spent more time with her new group, Elana realized how similar their bonds were to those of her own people—tribes, after all, were simply communities united by a shared identity. In a moment of clarity, Elana understood that 'tribe' was more than just a label for her people. It was a concept that transcended time and place. Every group she had ever encountered, whether in her village or in the bustling town, was a reflection of the same human need for belonging and connection. Elana returned to her tribe with a heart full of stories, determined to bridge the gap between her two worlds. Over time, she helped her people understand that a tribe could be more than just blood—it could be a bond formed through shared passions, adventures, and experiences.

The Circle of the Tribe