Conflict with outsiders is often initiated because of secure support system. Segmentary lineages are often war-like. Internal conflict may be resolved by club fights. The lineage head may intervene like a village head would. This is a part-time specialist who pursuades and threatens supernatural sanctions if his advise not taken.
Conflicts end with compensation in cattle.
The entire NUER tribe is related by blood. The entire TIV segmentary lineage claims demonstrated descent from a man named Tiv. Pan-tribal sodalities may be comprised of AGE SETS that unite to orchestrate hunts, raids or warfare. An example of a pan-tribal sodality was the joining of male Cheyenne, Arapaho and Sioux warriors to confront and wipe out Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. This page is part of the Columbus State University Web site.