Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging

Imagine a world where your survival depends not just on your own efforts but on the collective strength of your community. A world where sharing food, protecting one another, and living in close connection with your tribe is the norm. This is the world our ancestors inhabited for hundreds of thousands of years, and it is a world that still exists in some parts of the globe today. Humans are wired for belonging, for social connection, and for shared purpose. In contrast, modern society, with all its technological marvels and material abundance, often leaves individuals feeling isolated and disconnected. Despite working longer hours and having more possessions, many people feel lonelier and more alienated than ever before.

Historical accounts reveal a fascinating phenomenon: many Europeans who settled in the Americas chose to join Native American tribes. They married into these communities, adopted their customs, and in some cases, fought alongside them. This migration from colonial society to tribal life was rarely reversed. The social fabric of tribal communities, characterized by egalitarian governance and mutual responsibility, was deeply appealing. The tribes offered a sense of identity and belonging that the hierarchical and often alienating colonial societies could not provide.

Anthropological studies of groups like the !Kung people of the Kalahari Desert highlight how these hunter-gatherer societies thrive with minimal work hours, averaging about twelve hours a week. They share food equitably, avoid hoarding, and maintain strong social bonds that support mental and physical health. The !Kung’s way of life challenges the assumption that modern society offers more leisure and well-being.

The contrast is stark: while the !Kung enjoy a life integrated with their community and environment, modern urban dwellers often face isolation despite material wealth. Studies show that as affluence and urbanization increase, rates of depression and suicide tend to rise as well. Wealth can foster isolation, and isolation is a profound risk factor for mental illness.

This section invites us to reflect on what it truly means to belong. It encourages us to seek or create communities that offer shared purpose, loyalty, and mutual care. As we move forward, we will explore how these ancient social bonds play out in the context of war and trauma, and why their absence in modern life can be so damaging.

Let us now turn to the paradox of war — a time of destruction that paradoxically fosters some of the deepest human connections.