In a social context, a subtribe is a secondary division of a broader ethnic grouping or tribe, functioning as a distinct unit defined by specific kinship ties, geographic territory, or linguistic dialects. For example, the Kipsigis are a major sub-tribe that falls under the broader Kalenjin ethnic group of East Africa.
This term also serves as a formal taxonomic rank in biological science, where it is positioned directly below a tribe(biology) and above a genus. Following this hierarchy, the Hyptidinae is a botanical subtribe categorized under the tribe Ocimeae within the mint family. In both fields, the "tribe" acts as the parent category, while the "subtribe" identifies a specific branch within that larger lineage, with scientific names typically ending in -ina for animals (e.g., Hominina) and -inae for plants.
In an anthropological & social context, the classification works as follows:
Sub-tribe (The Division): A "sub-tribe" is a secondary division of that larger tribe, often characterized by its own distinct dialect or geographic area while still belonging to the parent group (e.g., Kipsigis).
Hyptidinae in Anthropology: Anthropologists study how indigenous or local sub-tribes interact with the Hyptidinae plant family. For example, rural communities in Latin America utilize various species of this subtribe as insect repellents and treatments for respiratory disorders.[1]
Hierarchy Comparison: Just as the tribe Ocimeae contains the subtribe Hyptidinae in biology, the ethnic tribe Kalenjin contains the sub-tribe Kipsigis in anthropology.
Cultural Significance: The knowledge of how to use these specific plants is often passed down through clans (smaller units within a sub-tribe), forming a vital part of a group's cultural heritage and survival strategy.
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