Primitives in paradise

The Association of Social Anthropologists recently ruled the terms "stone age," "primitive" and "savage" are unacceptable to describe tribal and indigenous people. They assert that "stone age" is a term that has been used for many years to create an impression that such people are "backward."

In response, 150 million tribal people in 60 countries have lodged a complaint with the United Nations, saying that "tribal" didn't originally refer to backwardness, but that wars, insurgencies and violent incidents in the Middle East and elsewhere are giving the term itself a bad name.

Uma ilouonga, a member of a peaceful tribe on the shores of Lake Tahuto on Upper Lumpopo Island, carried the request before the world body in New York, first distributing garlands of flowers and bags of fresh-killed monkey meat to the gathered diplomats. Communicating in the almost unintelligible grunts and squawks of his native Lumpopo-ese, Uma's speech was pieced together in translation for the delegates.

"The world's wars, clan and gang rivalries, vendettas and grudge killings always seem to have a religious or political component," Uma said. "And yet, the media refer to this as 'tribal' conflict. But when it goes on between western countries because of ideology or nationalistic concerns, nobody says 'tribal.' Instead they start talking about 'just war theory.' We don't understand. Please explain."

Uma suggested "tribal," "primitive," "savage," "backward" and "stone age" not be banned but rather applied to every society, at least until people start showing more human kindness.

His request was turned down, and Uma later was voted off his own island after his fellow stone-age neighbors sold it to the Chiquita and Dole fruit conglomerates.



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