Final answer:
The segmentary system in the Middle East protects indigenous people by forming alliances and mobilizing special groups to defend against invaders. It also prevents the emergence of a centralized power that could be easily targeted.
Step-by-step explanation:
A segmentary system, also known as segmentary opposition, is a social structure in which a society is divided into smaller segments or units that are largely autonomous but can come together to defend against external threats. In the Middle East, the segmentary system has historically played a role in protecting indigenous people from outside invaders.
One way the segmentary system protects indigenous people is through the formation of alliances and the mobilization of special groups to defend the community. These alliances can be formed between different segments within the society or with neighboring communities. By working together, they can resist external aggression and provide mutual support and protection.
Another way the segmentary system protects indigenous people is by discouraging the emergence of a centralized power that could be easily targeted by invaders. The society remains decentralized, with power distributed among different segments, making it difficult for external forces to conquer the entire society.