A
band society is the simplest form of human
society. A band generally consists of a small kin group, no larger than an
extended family or
clan; it has been defined as consisting of no more than 30 to 50 individuals.
Bands have a loose organization. Their power structure is often
egalitarian and has informal leadership; the older members of the band generally are looked to for guidance and advice and decisions are often made on a
consensus basis, but there are no written
laws and none of the specialised
coercive roles (e.g., police) typically seen in more complex societies. Bands'
customs are almost always transmitted
orally. Formal social institutions are few or non-existent.
Religion is generally based on family tradition, individual experience, or counsel from a
shaman. All known band societies
hunt and gather to obtain their
subsistence.
In his 1972 study,
The Notion of the Tribe,
Morton Fried defined bands as small, mobile, and fluid social formations with weak
leadership that do not generate surpluses, pay
taxes or support a standing
army.
Bands are distinguished from
tribes in that tribes are generally larger, consisting of many families. Tribes have more social institutions, such as a
chief,
big man, or
elders. Tribes are also more permanent than bands; a band can cease to exist if only a small group walks out. Many tribes are sub-divided into bands. Historically, some tribes were formed from bands that came together from time to time for religious ceremonies, hunting, or warfare.
[Britannica.] Among the
Native Americans of the
United States and the
First Nations of
Canada, some tribes are made up of official bands that live in specific locations, such as the various
bands of the Ojibwa tribe.
Band societies historically were found throughout the world, in a variety of climates, but generally in sparsely populated areas.
With the spread of the modern
nation-state around the globe, there are few true band societies left. Some historic examples include the
Shoshone of the
Great Basin in the United States, the
Bushmen of southern
Africa, the pygmies (
Mbuti) of the
Ituri Rainforest in Africa, and some groups of
indigenous Australians.
See also
