detribalize

American  

[dee-trahy-buh-lahyz] / diˈtraɪ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, detribalise

verb (used with object)

detribalized, detribalizing

1. to cause to lose tribal allegiances and customs, chiefly through contact with another culture.

---

detribalize British  

/ diːˈtraɪbəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to cause members of a tribe to lose their characteristic customs or social, religious, or other organizational features

2. to cause tribal people to adopt urban ways of life

---

Other Word Forms

• detribalization
  noun

Etymology

Origin of detribalize

First recorded in 1915–20; de- + tribal + -ize

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

detribalized detribalizing

Tutu, who rejects government categories and calls himself "detribalized," says he faces a "rough passage" in pleading with young black audiences for interracial concord and peaceful change.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week Castello Branco took a hopeful step toward detribalizing Brazil's politics by signing into law a new electoral code and a tough party reform.

From Time Magazine Archive