Tribal confederation

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A tribal confederation is a loose association of independent tribes . A tribal federation , on the other hand, is a (comparatively) closer association. In addition, the term tribal association or tribal union (as a generic term) is used.

These associations were particularly common among nomadic equestrian peoples . For the demarcation between the terms see also Confederation and Federalism , there should often be flowing transitions when using the three terms.

Today such alliances exist particularly among the Arabs and the Kurds . The nomadic peoples in Central Asia joined over the centuries again and again in tribal federations together. Tribal unions play an often mythical role in the history of many peoples, for example the Twelve Tribes of Israel .

Emergence

In historical times a ruler would gather followers and try to get his own clans and tribe under control. If he demonstrated leadership qualities, other tribes would join him, and in conflicts he would defeat neighboring tribes who joined or were subjugated. The confederation could continue to grow. If the ruler was decisively defeated, it often broke quickly. Tribal federations were very often unstable structures in this sense.

The name of a tribal confederation was often adopted by the politically dominant tribe or clan . When the confederation ended, the new name was sometimes in the foreground, but the old names were often used again.

Example Mongols

The later Genghis Khan , son of a Khan of the Mongolian tribe, was elected head of a confederation of Turkic-Mongolian tribes in 1206 at the assembly (Kurultai) of a confederation of Turkic-Mongolian tribes. The entire confederation later adopted the name Mongols.

Example of Germanic tribes

The sub-tribes that were later united under the name of Franks initially only formed loose alliances such as were suitable for raids or defensive measures. From this "tribal swarm" a tribal association or tribal union emerged over time and only over time the people. The same development is described for the Saxons . The Goths , too , are believed to have emerged from the merger of different tribes.

Examples of tribal associations

Examples of tribal confederations

Tribal confederations on the Mongolian plateau

Examples of tribal federations

Web links

Remarks

  1. Marion Linska, Andrea Handl and Gabriele Rasuly-Paleczek, p. 79
  2. Marion Linska, Andrea Handl and Gabriele Rasuly-Paleczek, p. 64
  3. Erich Zöllner: History of the Franks up to the middle of the sixth century. CH Beck, Munich 1970, p. 2; Ulrich Nonn: The Franks. Verlag Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2010, ISBN 978-3-17-017814-4 , p. 18