Manifestations of Tribalism in Tribal Conflicts in the Southern West Bank

Authors

Mahmud Hammad, Palestine Ahliya University - PalestineFollow
Daoud Al-Zeer, Palestine Ahliya University - PalestineFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.35192/jjoas-h.v30i1.122

Abstract

The study aimed to answer the following main question: What are the manifestations of tribalism that appear in tribal conflicts in the Southern West Bank? This question is divided into three sub-questions that explore the reasons for the emergence of tribalism: What are the most important forms of tribalism? And to what extent can these forms be overcome? The researchers employed a qualitative method, conducting 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews with experienced tribesmen from Bethlehem and Hebron Governorates. The results of the study indicated that there are many reasons underlying tribalism and loyalty to the tribe. These reasons are reflected in the epistemological, social, moral, economic, and political structures. This has contributed to the perpetuation of the concept of tribalism, leading to the formation of symbolic human capital. The manifestations of tribal practices included killing, revenge, clan dominance, tribe recruitment (Faizah), extreme anger (Forat Addam), and the deportation of the murderer's family and first-degree relatives (Jalwa). These practices can be attributed to a cultural heritage that guides tribesmen in addressing problems in a way that preserves their mental images as the center of power, based on location and loyalty. These mental images are associated with a distorted tribal understanding of the overall situation. The results also showed that Palestinian society, in its cognitive, social, ideological, and economic structures, resembles pastoral and agricultural communities below the advanced industrial level; thus, the desired change is unlikely to occur in the short term. Therefore, there is an urgent need for deep reflection to create a more developed and urbanized society, guided by a future vision that prioritizes the supreme symbols of honor and prestige—namely, the homeland and the citizen—as alternatives to loyalty based on tribalism.

Recommended Citation

Hammad, Mahmud and Al-Zeer, Daoud (2022) "Manifestations of Tribalism in Tribal Conflicts in the Southern West Bank," Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series: Vol. 30: Iss. 1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35192/jjoas-h.v30i1.122
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/jjoas-h/vol30/iss1/9