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"The lesson will be taught in due time, Aloy. Until then, we wait."
This article contains heavy spoilers. Read ahead with caution.
Tribe members traveling in the snow

A group of traveling tribe members

A tribe refers to a society of families or communities who share distinct cultural ties, usually inhabiting a defined territory or region. Human societies in Horizon Zero Dawn are referred to as tribes.

The cultures, economies, religions, and governments of these tribes vary widely. While some tribes are small and humble, others are bigger, wealthier, and have more complex systems of government and militaries.

some tribes seem to rule large swaths of land, akin to a nation.

There are three tribes that feature heavily within Horizon Zero Dawn: the Nora, the Carja, and the Oseram. Aloy's tribe, the Nora, are a reclusive hunter-gatherer society. The Banuk tribe dominate The Frozen Wilds expansion. The Utaru, the Tenakth, and the Quen feature prominently in the sequel Horizon Forbidden West.

History[]

Following the events of the Faro Plague, all biological life, including humanity, was eradicated. Foreseeing this unavoidable extinction, part of Project Zero Dawn involved the eventual repopulation of Earth, with the ELEUTHIA subordinate function in charge of this. Human and animal zygotes were stored cryogenically in Cradle facilities, with the APOLLO subordinate function meant to educate them on humanity's past once the new humans reached kindergarten age. However, Ted Faro's purging of the APOLLO function left the new humans without any knowledge of the former civilization or how to survive outside of the Cradles. When the food supplies in the Cradles were eventually depleted, the new humans were forced out despite lacking the knowledge necessary to survive in a world now dominated by machines.

The loss of the APOLLO function resulted in the loss of millennia of technological advancement and knowledge, leaving the new humans devoid of any understanding of the previous civilizations. However, humanity did learn how to survive and thrive, and by the start of the fourth millennium, unique societies referred to as tribes were formed in various areas across the world. They adopted ways of life similar to their ancient ancestors, hunting and gathering food and resources, both from the natural world and from machines, and some eventually rediscovered agriculture. Because the information regarding the extinction of the first age of humanity was lost, these new societies were unaware of the origin of the machines and of the disappearance of the Old Ones, and the ruins and artifacts left behind were either avoided or explored and salvaged.

The true reason for the disappearance of the Old Ones remained a mystery until Aloy and Sylens learned of the Faro Plague and Project Zero Dawn in 3040.

Overview[]

Compared to the technological and societal advancement of the Old Ones, the tribes of the 31st century are far less advanced, resembling ancient indigenous cultures. Although most are lacking in the technology developed by their predecessors, the tribes have evolved into unique societies, each with their own customs, laws, religions, and hierarchies.

A few tribes have assumed a sophisticated reputation. The Carja developed construction technology that allowed them to build permanent human settlements (such as their capital city, Meridian) and construct working cranes. Agriculture is a major part of their lifestyle, as is trading and mining. The leader of the Carja is a monarch called the Sun-King, and they worship the sun as a sort of divine entity. From an economic and militaristic standpoint as well, they are considered the most advanced of the featured tribes.

Also considered an advanced tribe is the Oseram, who are known for their craftsmanship and metalwork; they have invented powerful weapons resembling guns and cannons. The Oseram have developed a unique attraction for ancient ruins, as these tend to provide advanced weaponry and resources.

Other tribes remain hunter-gatherer societies, foraging and hunting for food and resources. The Nora tribe is a prime example, and their technology is developed solely for the purpose of hunting. They are a reclusive society, with tribe members rarely leaving the Sacred Land. Their leaders, the High Matriarchs, are responsible for governing the tribe; they are also religious leaders and guide the tribe in the worship of a goddess they call All-Mother.

The Banuk are another reclusive, hunter-gatherer tribe who rarely venture outside Ban-Ur despite being a nomadic society. They are divided into small groups called weraks. The strongest of these weraks regularly meet in a Conclave, of which little is known.

The Tenakth are a ferocious tribe of warriors that dominate the Forbidden West. Split into three clans who only recently found an uneasy peace, they conquered all forms of hostile environments. From the rolling dunes and open grasslands of the Desert Clan, to the frigid heights dominated by the Sky Clan, to the dense forests, sandy beaches, and open seas surrounding the Lowland Clan, they truly mastered the land they found themselves on.

The Utaru are an agrarian tribe that have taken up residence in the Forbidden West. They are a generally peaceful tribe, though this should not be confused with being defenseless. Being the only tribe with any real footing in the no-mans-land between the Carja and Tenakth, they act as a buffer between their two less than hospitable neighbors, sustaining themselves off the land and celebrating the beauty of music.

The Quen are an imperial tribe that hail from beyond the Pacific Ocean. They are a highly advanced tribe, having recovered much technology of the old ones, including the augmented reality devices called Focuses. The Quen are dedicated to the research of the Old Ones.

Relations between tribes can range from friendly to hostile: the Carja infamously waged war with the Nora and Oseram. Later on, the Carja and Oseram became closely allied. Other tribes prefer an isolationist policy, though trade may still occur.

Known Tribes[]

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