'Structure of the Tribe'

Text selected from

'A study of peoples far and wide'

by Ulminster Oxbridge

THE STRUCTURE OF THE TRIBE

I have managed to isolate a number of essential positions of importance that seem common to even the most disparate of tribal groups. Again I found the responsibilities and expectations created by a person holding such a title varied both with the individual and the group. These titles do not seem to have any form of rank as one finds within a system such as the army, there are no generals or captains, nor privates for that matter. Holding a title is an honour, and is often viewed as a mark of respect for the self in addition to the respect it will command from those around the holder.

The first of these titles, as it seems to be a common thread weaving through the very fabric of the Tribe, is the Tribal Voice. This position is not mentioned in all the earliest fragments of slate in my possession, but I have heard of it in all of the oral traditions, even those that I have dated to before the Slates. I have attempted to summarise and draw a rounded picture to enable the reader to see what is behind the mask that is the Voice.

The Tribal voice is such a position of great power, for at the words of the Tribal Voice, the Tribe will move, rest or even take to war. The Voice dictates the path that the Tribe will take and also acts as emissary and ambassador for negotiation with other groups, be they part of the Tribe or outsiders. \par At the same time the Tribal Voice is a position of weakness, of powerlessness & manipulation. The words spoken by the Voice must be chosen from the words of the tribe. Before the Voice dictates or makes agreement with other groups on behalf of the Tribe then first the Tribe must have sat around the First-fire and talked.