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Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology

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A model of social organization proposed by the functionalist theory of E. E. Evans-Pritchard. This theory holds that, because the state does not exist in a tribal society, the tribesman must rely on other persons or structures in times of trouble because he cannot depend on an authority to ensure the rights and well-being of the tribesmen. During crises such as droughts or external threats, the tribe will subdivide into smaller groups on the basis of genealogical ties. Steven Caton explains how this theory relates to the concept of honor in Arabian tribal societies. Feuds actually unify groups against one another because they are so concerned with preserving their honor. The groups continue to appeal to higher-level persons to match their adversaries, and the dispute eventually ends because the groups are at a draw. Thus, tribal order is maintained. This theory, of course, assumes the principle of balanced opposition, or that lineal groups are equal in size and strength; in fact, this is rarely the case in these societies because of demographic, ecological, and economic variables (See pages 9-11 in Caton reading for further explanation).