Why We Still Need Tribes

Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World: Rediscovering Our Tribe

In a world of instant messaging, global networks, and endless online “friends,” it’s never been easier to feel alone. Despite having more connections than any generation before us, many people feel deeply disconnected — from nature, from purpose, and from each other. The truth is, we’ve lost something along the way.

Something ancient.

Something powerful.

Something human.

We’ve Lost the Tribe!

What is a Tribe?

Traditionally, a tribe wasn’t just a group with shared ancestry. It was a way of life. A tribe was:

• A group bound by common stories and shared challenges.

• A collective with rituals, symbols, and roles.

• A place where each person was known, valued, and expected to contribute.

• A system where survival depended on cooperation, not competition.

  
  

In ancient societies, tribes worked together to hunt, gather, protect one another, and make decisions. They raised children collectively, taught skills by example, and passed wisdom down through stories and ceremonies. In the harshest environments — forests, deserts, tundras — you survived with the tribe, or you didn’t survive at all.

Tribes in Survival & Bushcraft Context

Even in modern bushcraft, you see tribal prioritization play out:

• You keep the fire going so everyone stays warm.

• You teach a knot so everyone can build shelter.

• You treat a wound so the whole team stays moving.

  
  

Good bushcraft isn’t about being the lone wolf. It’s about knowing how to thrive with others — as part of something bigger than yourself. Modern psychology backs it: we are wired for community, contribution, and belonging. The tribe is not optional. It’s essential.

Ancestry and the Tribal Thread

My own bloodline traces back to Northern England, with roots in Nordic and Germanic cultures. My ancestors were forest dwellers, craftsmen, farmers, and warriors before they were citizens of kingdoms or subjects under crowns. Before they were part of nations, they were part of tribes.

They depended on shared identity, common values, and collective skills. Just like Native American nations, Scandinavian clans, and Celtic tribes did elsewhere in the world. It wasn’t race that defined these ancient tribes — it was shared purpose, mutual reliance, and a sense of sacred belonging.

The Mohawk — A Tribal Signal

Recently, I cut my hair in a Mohawk style — not as a fashion statement, but as a symbol of this tribal mindset. In North America, the Mohawk cut is tied to the Indigenous Mohawk Nation — known for courage, honour, and unity. But similar styles have been used around the world by other tribal cultures too:

Vikings: Warriors and explorers wore versions of this style to signal strength and unity.

Celts: Used this fierce look as visual identity in battle and tribal gatherings.

Germanic tribal groups: Styles like this marked freedom, belonging, and resistance.

Pawnee & other First Nations: Hairstyles marked bravery, maturity, and tribal identity.

So my Mohawk is more than hair. It’s a declaration of tribal intention in a fragmented world. A reminder that:

• Belonging matters.

• Values matter.

• Connection matters.

• The group is greater than the self.

  
  

And that my heritage — European, Nordic, Germanic — is not separate from the universal tribal story. It’s a part of it.

Modern Tribes and the 1 Day – 5 Skills Course

In today’s world, a tribe might be:

• A group of families learning bushcraft together every month.

• Veterans who gather to hike, talk, and support each other.

• Parents and kids who return to the fire, week after week, to practice old skills and build new ones.

• A team of co-workers who learn resilience through shared outdoor challenges.

  
  

You don’t need to live in the woods to live tribally. You just need shared purpose, mutual support, and rituals that reinforce identity. That’s one of the core ideas behind our 1 Day – 5 Skills course.

It’s not just about knots, fire, shelter, self-aid, and water. It’s about tribe-building, confidence, resilience, and belonging — both in the bush and back home.

The Course: A Gateway to Connection

The course is just the starting point. It serves as a gateway into practical skills, deeper values, and rediscovering connection. It offers a taste of what it means to live the Everyday Way — not just alone, but together.

Bring Your Tribe. Build Your Tribe. Be the Tribe.

Whether it’s your family, your friends, your workplace, or people you haven’t met yet — the tribe you build is the one that builds you. If you’re tired of going it alone or watching others drift apart, join us. Let’s rekindle this ancient, human way of belonging.

Every last Sunday of the month, join us for One day. Five skills. A lifetime of lessons.

Ready to reconnect with your tribe? Visit www.everydaybushcraft.com.au and take the first step towards building your community.

Conclusion: Embracing the Tribal Spirit

In conclusion, embracing the tribal spirit is about more than just learning skills. It’s about fostering connections, sharing experiences, and building a supportive community. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let’s not forget the wisdom of our ancestors. They understood the importance of belonging, cooperation, and shared purpose.

Let’s come together, learn from one another, and create a tribe that empowers us all. After all, in a world that often feels disconnected, it’s our tribes that can help us find our way back home.