We are of Barbaric Lineage
Let us conjure a scenario in the ancient world, before the dawn of any civilization, of two tribes of similar population size.
The tribe A is nomadic that relies on the skill of hunting and pillaging, rather than farming, rearing, or any sort of settled or sustained growth.
The tribe B, in contrast, is a settled tribe living and thriving in its local place through farming, rearing, and engaging in activities of a stable place and stable society.
Few characteristics of the two tribes
| Need | Tribe A (Nomadic) | Tribe B (Settled) |
|---|---|---|
| Food source | Need to continuously find new places to hunt or new tribes to plunder | Mostly well-planned due to farming and rearing |
| Food security | High uncertainty | Mostly predictable |
| Spare Time | Limited due to uncertainty for next availability of food | High spare time due to planned availability of food |
| Art and Science | Limited time for exploration and development of art, music, and science | Higher possibility of exploration of art, music, and science due to stability of basic needs and higher spare time |
| Rituals | Influences from killing and slaughtering. But likely less consistent due to lack of basic stability. | Influenced by harvest and seasons. Stable, consistent and likely happy. |
| Population Distribution | Almost everyone needs to be a skilled fighter | The population needs to be distributed between farming, rearing, and fighters for defence |
The Contact
Now if Tribe A, following its nomadic nature, comes in contact with Tribe B, it is likely that Tribe A will win over Tribe B due to a higher number of well-trained fighters honed over numerous battles. Tribe A will not only win but also destroy the place and consume it non-sustainably. They will likely also capture young children who can be further trained and assimilated into their nomadic tribe, giving an instant boost to their population.
Tribe B would be disintegrated along with their knowledge, traditions, and culture - forever! No one will ever know Tribe B existed!
Tribe A lives on to find and ‘consume’ another Tribe B!
Questions, or thoughts?
Eventually civilizations settled down! How many Tribe B(s) had to disappear for each Tribe A to settle?
If Tribe B were at a disadvantage in the presence of Tribe A, generations later, do we have more of Tribe A within us, than Tribe B?
Are we truly free of Tribe A and its ideologies in our present “modern” world?
Annexure
Historical Context
Throughout history, there are numerous examples where nomadic or warrior societies have overrun settled civilizations. The Mongol invasions of the 13th century, for instance, saw highly mobile and battle-hardened nomads conquer vast, established empires across Asia and Europe. Similarly, the fall of the Western Roman Empire was hastened by repeated incursions from various nomadic tribes such as the Huns and the Goths. In many cases, the conquerors assimilated the knowledge and traditions of the societies they overtook, but much was also lost forever. These patterns have shaped the genetic, cultural, and ideological makeup of modern populations.
Conclusion
Our societies, values, and even our instincts may carry the legacy of those who survived. While we pride ourselves on civilization and progress, it is worth reflecting on how much of our collective psyche is influenced by the traits of those ancient “Tribe A” survivors. Are our competitive drives, our fears, and our social structures remnants of a barbaric lineage, or have we truly evolved beyond them?
The echoes of these ancient encounters still resonate today… in our everyday news feed!