A tribe was a type of social group, at a much smaller and simpler level then a nation. Tribal social structures occured in many cultures, to the point that the word was considered a common root word, useful in comparing related languages. Tribal structures were associated with more primitive levels of development (TNG: "Contagion", "Too Short a Season") However, some cultures were too primitive to even form tribes; these tended to form loose associations instead. (TOS: "The Galileo Seven")
Governing structures of Tribes could include Tribal Councils, Tribal elders, and even Tribal law. (TOS: "The Paradise Syndrome"; TNG: "Journey's End")
During the 16th century, according to Q, Humans were murdering each other in quarrels over tribal god-images. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
In 1680, several Native American tribes banded together to overthrow their Spanish overlords. (TNG: "Journey's End")
Inhabitants of Gamma Trianguli VI lived in what was described as a tribal village. (TOS: "The Apple")
While on Omega IV, captain James T. Kirk compared the United States of America to a tribe while trying to explain it to the Yangs, themselves a tribal culture. (TOS: "The Omega Glory")
Mordanites, while having some sophistication, were still ruled by tribal family units. (TNG: "Too Short a Season")
Known Tribes
- Drakian forest dweller
- Karis Tribe of Delios VII (VOY: "Sacred Ground")
- Nobelia Prime natives
- Maori
- Ten Tribes of Capella
- Yang tribes of Omega IV
- Native American tribes (Human)