Which of the following would NOT typically be a feature of a tribe?

Study for the Dantes General Anthropology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your assessment!

A tribe is generally characterized by a social organization that is less formal than a state and typically lacks centralized political authority. Instead, tribes are often organized into smaller groups based on kinship or other social ties, which allows for a more decentralized form of governance. This decentralized structure contributes to the lack of formal government, as leadership often arises from local customs and the influence of respected individuals rather than from a centralized authority.

The feature of having multiple descent groups is common in tribal societies, allowing for diverse social structures and relationships. Additionally, tribes often exhibit a certain degree of social equality, as resources and power are more evenly distributed among members compared to more hierarchical systems found in larger political entities.

In contrast, centralized political authority would imply a single, governing body that has the power to make and enforce laws or policies, which is typically a characteristic of more complex societies such as chiefdoms or states. Thus, the presence of centralized political authority is inconsistent with the defining features of a tribe, making it the correct answer to the question.

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