Clan and tribal warfare is one of various forms of homicidal group conflict between at least two communities, in which one of the communities is a clan or tribe. Anthropologists make distinctions between clan or tribal warfare and the other forms of homicidal group conflict, such as raiding and feuding. [Page 308]However, as this entry will explain, all of these forms of conflict have similarities with one another, and their characteristics frequently overlap.

Clan or tribal wars should not be confused with other forms of homicidal behavior in clan or tribal societies. Individual homicidal conflicts, such as dueling and murder, which may occur between two individuals, do not constitute warfare. The execution of an individual by a clan or tribe does not constitute tribal warfare either.