"Talking About Tribe" Post Test

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The questions below are in reference to the article "Talking about Tribes" (see the Archives) This test is to meant be taken after you have read the article.

 
1. Some African ethnic identies and divisions now portrayed as ancient and unchanging
came about in the last two decades
were the result of intermarriage between Europeans and Africans
were created during the period of colonization by Europeans
were the result of military decisions by Africans

2. In the United States the word tribe has become necessary for the government to apply to Native Americans because
It is a sign of respecting the names the Native Americans gave themselves
Under U.S. law, tribe is a bureaucratic term and for a community of Native Americans to gain access to programs and to enforce rights due to them under treaties and laws, they must be recognized as a tribe.
Record keeping is simplified
No one objects to referring to Indian tribes

3. Statement: "During the age of scientific rationalism (when the use of the word tribe began), theories of social evolutuion became intertwined with racial theories." Based on this statement and the article, which of the following is not true.
These theories were used to justify the latter stages of the Atlantic slave trade and later European colonial rule.
The ideas developed that Africans were permanently a more primitive lower order of humanity and this justified Europeans enslaving and dominating them.
Others thought that Africans could develop, but needed to be civilized and dominated by Europeans.
In a few thousand years, Africans would develop to a level equal to Europeans.

4. Colonial governments told Africans they (the Africans) came in tribes and the colonial governnemnts rewarded people who acted in terms of ethnic competition.
True
False

5. For African leaders trying to build multi-ethnic nations, tribalism is an obstacle because it is an outlook that pursues political advantage through ethnic discrimination and chauvinism.
True
False

6. When Africans learn English, they are usually taught that tribe is the term that English speakers will recognize.
True
False

7. Which of the following statements is not true?
There are many indigenous Zambian words that translate into nation, people, clan, language, foreigner, village, or community.
There are no Zambian words that translate easily translate into "tribe."
Sorting Zambians into a fixed number of "tribes" was a byproduct of British rule over northern Rjodesia (as Zambia was known prior to independence in 1964)
Sorting Zambians into a fixed number of "tribes' was a byproduct of British and French rule.

8. Which of the following statements is not true?
What it means to be "Zulu" has changed over time.
Before the 19th century, Zul was the clan name of the kings of a small kingdom.
The Zulu kingdom displaced the Mthethwa kingdom and conquered dozens of nearby small kingdoms which gradually took on Zulu identity on top of older local identities.
The Zulus then spread into northern Africa

9. Tribe promotes a myth of African timelessness, obscuring history and change.
True
False

10. Images of timelessness and savagery hide the modern character of African ethnicity, including ethnic conflict.
True
False

Number of correct answers.
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