A tribe by any other name: across the Mediterranean cultural divide

Abstract

The author, a choreographer, argues that for the artist the ‘tribe’ which controls artistic expression in Europe is that of large corporations, whereas in most Arab countries it is a more overt form of control by repressive regimes and clerical institutions. In Palestine ‘tribal’ bonds have also served to maintain cultural survival. ‘Tribes’ need to evolve so as to reconcile the community spirit with the right of freedom of expression for individuals.