Final answer:
Tribal belief systems significantly shape members' actions and identities, serving to unify or divide communities and influence reactions to life events or external pressures. They are central to the Kachina belief system in the modern Pueblo societies and can be seen in historical contexts, like the Pueblo uprising against Spanish conversion efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief system of a tribe profoundly impacts its members, shaping their worldview, behaviors, and reactions to various life events. Tribal beliefs in spiritual forces or ancestors can influence daily life through rituals and practises that provide emotional and social support, but also through restrictions and rules that must be followed. An example could be the modern Pueblo societies, which are deeply connected to the kachina belief system, wherein kachinas, as spirit beings, embody diverse aspects of the universe and bring benefits to the people. Ceremonies venerating kachinas involve community participation, thus reinforcing social bonds, whereas failure to participate or comply with traditions could lead to alienation.
In contexts of colonization or external pressure, such as the Pueblo during Spanish incursion, the adherence to, or rejection of, traditional beliefs can become a focal point of resistance and identity affirmation. Conversion efforts by outsiders like the Franciscans caused tensions, as tribal members were forced to reconcile their indigenous practices with the newly imposed Catholic doctrines, leading to uprisings to revive traditional ways.
Tribal thinking similarly affects interpretation of events and information, possibly skewing perceptions to align with collectively held beliefs, as seen in the Pueblo beliefs linking their suffering to Spanish presence. These examples demonstrate the powerful role that tribal belief systems play in both uniting and dividing communities, and how they shape the identities and actions of individuals like Kino and Juana, the central characters in John Steinbeck's 'The Pearl'.