Egyptian tribes shift their approach to politics
The 2011 revolution has changed tribes' relationship to the traditional political parties, leading some of them to vote for the Muslim Brotherhood and to nominate their own candidates.
With each election season in Egypt, talk gravitates toward the role played by families and tribes in the political process. This was the case for the period that preceded the revolution of Jan. 25, 2011, as well as in subsequent years. Various families and tribes would organize to win parliamentary seats for one of their own, particularly in Upper Egypt and the governorates of Sinai and Matrouh. This phenomenon appears to have changed after the 2011 revolution and the emergence of Islamist movements. It was only natural that the polarization and divisions that befell Egypt at that time would be reflected among tribes and families in a manner mirroring society as a whole. Recent activities by tribes indicate that they are preparing to contest parliamentary elections, due to be held March 22-23, in an organized and united fashion, mainly through so-called electoral colleges. Through these institutions, composed of prominent families, the family members vote for their preferred candidates. Whether they will remains a matter of speculation.
Egypt's tribes and families were traditionally subordinate to the ruling regimes, regardless of the latters’ orientation, for the sake of achieving mutual interests, primarily maintaining security, in exchange for influence. Parliamentary elections have therefore represented an opportunity for tribes to demonstrate their influence and superiority.
The 2011 elections resulted in divisions among tribes from the same villages and towns. During this period, the Muslim Brotherhood succeeded in persuading small and marginalized families to push candidates from them to run in the elections. These candidates then ran as affiliated with the Brotherhood or with other religious currents such as the Salafist Nour Party.
Some tribes appear to be seeking to bolster their cohesion, as evident by the conferences, or gatherings, they are holding to promote awareness and the importance of elections as well as to announce their candidates. They are also seeking to strengthen electoral alliances with political parties. This raises the question of the nature of tribal alliances in the upcoming parliamentary elections and whether they will allow the return of the tribes’ influence.
