01.01 Philosophy: Non-consensual slavery: Tribe

To describe our world before slavery was conceived and practiced involves delving into the realms of pre-history, and there we have to rely more on perceived truths, for, of course, there are no written records and all too few visual clues. Archaeology, anthropology, paleontology, biology, and geology, among others, as well as a fair amount of conjecture, allow us to piece together the fragments from this all too unknown time to help create a picture of how life was like before the advent of slavery.

For millions of years, since the emergence of our Hominidae family roughly sixteen million years ago, our earliest ancestors lived a quite particular existence. Conditions differed over time, natural catastrophes had to be overcome, the often demanding weather conditions had to be endured, and new species reckoned with, unpredictable living conditions dealt with and there was the ever-constant and frustrating search for food and security. These were difficult, yet formative times. And out of these developmental times, via advances such as bipedalism, increased intelligence, a more powerful grip, and social organization, emerged our species; a mere two or three hundred thousand years ago, though it would take tens of thousands of years until modern humans become established, and when they did things began to change at a much faster pace.

Life for these early humans, up until about fifty thousand years ago, was little different from their human contemporaries: crude stone tools, basic fishing implements, projectile points, and other tools were the same as those used by others, such as Homo erectus or Neanderthals. Differences were determined more by the raw materials available, rather than the species fashioning them.

Geographically, the world then was similar to now, with the continents in roughly the same places and the glacial cycles that had challenged the world for so long with drastic climatic changes, reducing space for living and scarcer food supplies, leading to extinctions all over the world, was coming to an end. Global warming on a vast scale was making the world a different place. Plants and animals redistributed themselves to the newly revealed terrains, and the melting ice reshaped the land’s visible boundaries.

People lived in tribes, in small communities, and this, the first and most long-lived social structure ever, had stood the test of time. Groups of species had adopted and followed this natural lifestyle for tens of thousands of years. Living in a tribe ensured continuity: with people living together, the tribe could develop, continue, and even thrive. Unity and commitment were important, especially when faced with a competitive enemy, though resources were usually widespread and the population density small enough to avoid this. Both men and women worked hard to obtain food and nevertheless, they still had low body fat. A nomadic lifestyle meant that life was often physically tough with many hardships, especially infanticide and injury.

Even so, times were not always so difficult. These tribes often had abundant leisure time, and if faced with limited local threats often lived a pleasant existence. The social organization of earlier, more primitive tribes had always been based on power: the most dominant would be in control, and we see this quite clearly and naturally in nature, all around us. This structure began to change perhaps as early as with Homo Habilis, some two million years ago. Over time, power was replaced with social cohesion as the defining element of the group. Each member of the tribe had a function. Each member was allowed to develop and refine skills and talents to benefit society as a whole. And most importantly, talents and skills, as well as all resources, were pooled together for the benefit and continuance of the tribe. It was an early, primitive sort of communism. The weak and old were protected and the talented and skilled were encouraged.

As these tribes were emerging into a new, warmer world about fifty thousand years ago, human culture made a great leap forward; a revolution was afoot, one that was to change the make-up of the world and alter the balance that had been so constant for so long. The egalitarian system of social cohesion had by now become refined. Gone were the days of that element of brutal force and power to hold together the community. It was a sort of golden age of liberty and equality and lasted for thousands of years. Though, of course, fights did occur, it was commonplace to kill enemies, as in the olden days of brute force, as there simply weren’t enough resources to go around to feed extra members.

The revolution in societal make-up did not happen overnight, or in any one particular place, but gradually, incrementally and it eventually redefined us as a species, and more so a species to be reckoned with.

Artifacts and inventions made life easier and more bearable and brought greater overall happiness to communities all over the world. Seasonal settlements and shelters with storage pits were more established and became more solid and appropriate for their purpose as designs were constantly being improved upon. Fire, used already for a couple of million years, was significant; enabling tribes to push into colder regions, defend themselves, improve health and diet, and increase security by deterring predators or enemies. Hunting practices became ever more refined, making greater use of the land’s natural resources, as well as accumulating knowledge about migration patterns, the domestication of dogs, and even the beginnings of a calendar system. Skills and techniques used to fashion tools out of stone became more sophisticated leading to more accuracy and diversity, and alongside this bone, flint and wood became increasingly fashioned into a range of tools including blades, piercing tools, weapons, needles, buttons, darts, harpoons... Tools became specialized. The making and use of nets and boats also increased a tribe’s food sources, as well as to explore unfamiliar regions. Needles enabled a greater range of clothing to be prepared; furthermore, these tools enabled individuals to add personal characteristics to their creations. Style was entering into the human psyche. Humans were diversifying and beginning to explore their potential.

Many of these changes, however, may have occurred anyway. Flint, for example, was explored as the severe weather conditions, at times, meant that humans had to consider other forms of material. Similarly, needles would have been necessary to fashion clothes to withstand the harsh conditions of the prevailing weather conditions. Indeed, many crude examples of later more sophisticated tools were found much, much earlier.

The pivotal factors in the great leap forward around this time have more to do with societal and physiological advances. One of the most defining features of modern humans emerged during this great leap forward: the ability to speak. For the first time, humans were able to communicate more than just basic ideas. People became able to share experiences and relate to each other in new, meaningful ways. Communication went from being a means to an end to becoming a powerful tool to shape humanity and define what it was and wanted to be. Abstract thinking, innovation, planning, and use of symbolism were all part of this early exploration of this exploration of communication.

These developments led quickly to the earliest signs of religion which over time became entrenched in daily life. People took on the role of guardians, healers, and protectors. Intentional burial, often with grave goods, was practiced. Animal worship and sacrifice became increasingly commonplace. Rituals became part of daily routine.

Alongside these fundamental advances came the increasing use of trade. Tribes met with and traded with other tribes, located vast distances from each other. Now, humans have access to different and diverse materials and take full advantage of their uses. Obsidian, flint, ochre, hides, and tools, as well as many other items, were useful trading items, and these long-distance trading links allowed humans to make contact with other tribes to exchange ideas, develop ideas, and explore concepts and differing ideas.

The culture was being created and defined and playing a critical, defining role here was the increasing use of jewelry and body ornaments. As well as stylistic clothing, people began to adopt their styles. The outward manifestation of this artistic development is the depiction of images, with cave paintings, figurines (particularly of the female form), and petroglyphs all enabling the early stages of art and sculpture to emerge and to be explored. And whilst there is no evidence to suggest music played a part in this early artistic development, it is not unreasonable to imagine that it had its place too, certainly vocally, but probably basic instruments such as flutes, drums, and a range of improvised percussion instruments fashioned from local materials or bone would have contributed to cultural life and customs, as well as religious ceremonies or trance induction.

With all these advancements triggered by the leap forward around fifty thousand years ago and being constantly developed and refined up to about ten thousand years ago, society continued as it had done for a long time: the egalitarian nature of society remained, the tribe was almost like a single unit, functioning as a whole, with each constituent member contributing if possible, or being supported, if not. Slavery was not and had never been a concept to these early humans; it had never existed and was not required. There was no advantage in owning another human being. Life was sweet, and humans reveled in their creativity, newfound culture, and passion for existence.