Urban tribes are groups of people who share the same lifestyle, activities and similar interests with each other.. Generally these groups are adept at a lifestyle different from the main culture.
They are composed of groups of people who seek to obtain the same identity, whether in the same aesthetic tastes, rules, language, music and even ideology.
In the 1980s Michel Maffesoli described urban tribes as the new subculture phenomenon. Since then, the term has become part of everyday life.
Types of Urban Tribes
Today, there are many types of urban tribes, each with its own characteristics. Clothing and musical style are often the main ways of expressing a tribe's ideology and beliefs.
Below are examples of some of the best known urban tribes in the world:
rappers
In the photograph, one of the most famous rap groups in Brazil: Racionais MC's.
Rappers are people adept at the musical genre known as rap music. Its origin dates back to the 1970s, when the rap music emerged on the outskirts of New York.
Composed of a majority of young black people, the highlight of this tribe is due to the fact that they expose their messages against social and racial inequalities through music, composed by strong lyrics in the form of rhymes.
Rappers often wear baggy clothes, big sporty sneakers and caps. They also carry accessories like gold bracelets and necklaces.
Follow the dance style called break dance, like graffiti and are fans of freestyle: rhymes made on improvisation.
The highlight of this urban culture was the late 1990s. However, it still remains one of the best known and most appreciated musical genres in the world.
Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and 50 cent are some of the singers from rap music most famous in the world. In Brazil, rap is strongly represented by the group Racionais MC's who were very successful in the 1990s.
Other famous Brazilian rappers are: Emicida, Criolo, Marcelo D2, MV Bill, among others.
gothic
Representative photo of the Gothic urban tribe.
This urban tribe is derived from Punk and was born in the UK between the 1970s and 1980s. Soon after, it spread to other countries.
Its members are often apolitical and admire elements related to death and the occult.
Melancholy is also a great brand and their clothing style is composed of black colors, preferably with leather material, in addition to boots, piercings and religious elements in jewelry, such as the five-pointed star and the cross.
The musical style of the Goths is known as Gothic Rock. However, they also listen to the Heavy metal, in addition to other styles within the rock and roll.
the cure, The Sistersof MercyandBauhaus are some of the best known goth bands in the world.
hippies
Image from the 1969 Woodstock festival.
This urban tribe was born in the 1960s, during the Vietnam War. Its followers are generally sympathetic to anarchist ideology and are nature lovers. They follow an ideology of collectivist and nomadic life.
Members of this tribe usually wear long hair, colorful and loose clothing and preach peace, love and sexual freedom.
The biggest Hippie event ever held was the woodstock1969, which featured artists such as Janis Joplin and the band The Who.
punks
In the image, one of the bars punks most famous in England.
Born in the 1970s, the punks they frequent the tribe's own bars and generally mingle with the skinheads and heavies (music style admirers Heavy metal). Its political ideology is marked by anti-fascism and anti-capitalism.
They are known for having different and colorful haircuts, in addition to piercings and tattoos. They usually wear black leather jacket and black shirt with symbols of anarchism or some social slogan.
the Ramones and The Clash are two of the bands punks most famous in the world. In Brazil, the bands Ratos de Porão and Inocentes are part of the culture punk Brazilian since 1980.
Skateboarders
In the image, skateboarders in a proper track of skateboard practicing maneuvers.
This urban tribe is derived from sport Skateboarding, and its members are known to perform maneuvers with skateboard.
Unlike other urban tribes that derive from musical or aesthetic genres, the skateboarders they are practitioners of a sport, just like surfers.
Most do not have a defined aesthetic and don't have a specific musical preference.
Rastafarians (or Rasta)
In the image, the example of a member of the urban Rastafarian tribe.
This urban tribe follows Rastafarianism: a religious and political movement, started in Jamaica in the 1930s and adopted by many groups around the world, which combines Protestant Christianity, mysticism and a political conscience pan-African.
Members of this tribe often hear reggae, hip hop and ska. They enjoy a simple and natural lifestyle and value peace, happiness and friendship.
They usually wear hair in the shape of a dreads, as in the picture above, in addition to sandals and comfortable clothes. They are also adept at clothing or accessories in the colors of the Jamaican flag.
otakus
In the image, an example of an event held for Otakus.
This urban tribe is fascinated by Japanese culture and music. They enjoy reading manga (typically Japanese comic books), they are fans of anime (Japanese animations) and oriental video games.
They tend to dress up as their favorite characters from anime or comics, investing in colors and accessories.
hipsters
Pictured is an example of a man with a Hipster lifestyle.
The members of this urban tribe are music lovers. indie and alternative. They have aesthetic interests that are unconventional to the mainstream culture and enjoy the aesthetic vintage, both in clothing and decoration.
They often frequent unknown or unpopular places, consume organic and artisanal foods, and have peaceful and progressive environmentalist views.
skinheads
In the image, example of a skinhead.
The skinheads, also known as "shaved heads", are an urban tribe that grew out of young UK workers in the 1960s.
Are lovers of music genres ska, rock and roll and punk and are known for enjoying football, beer and for wearing jeans, boots and suspenders. Two of his biggest brands are tattoos and the cult of virility.
Other examples of urban tribes
Urban tribes are constantly growing and changing around the world. Surfers, nerds, geeks and bikers are examples of other tribes that have thousands of adherents.
In Brazil, two tribes are famous for following known musical styles: funkeiros and pagodeiros.
See other meanings that might interest you:
- Anarchism;
- Ideology;
- Rock and roll;
- Culture;