Ace Anthropology 2026 – Unravel the Mysteries of Human History with This Fun Practice Test!

In anthropology, a tribe is typically defined by a network of kinship ties that create social structures and relationships among its members. This kinship network fosters a sense of identity and belonging, as tribes often comprise groups of families that are related by blood or marriage. These ties heavily influence social organization, cultural practices, resource sharing, and group cohesion.

In many tribal societies, decisions are made based on these kinship relationships rather than through centralized governance, which is why the idea of a single, centralized government does not fit the definition of a tribe. Additionally, while some tribes may exhibit limited social hierarchies, the presence of kinship ties is a more foundational attribute over any hierarchical structure. Furthermore, tribes do not necessarily attain a high level of technological development; instead, their defining characteristics stem more from social organization and cultural practices than from technological advancement.