Tribe

Tribe
Survivor Gameplay
Description	A group of individuals who compete together against another group for an extended period of time.
Appearances	Every season

The competing teams in Survivor are known as tribes. Conventionally, there are two tribes in a season, but there have been instances where three or four may be active at the same time. A tribe can have anywhere from four to ten contestants at the beginning of the game.

Dividing Into Tribes

Most commonly, the tribes are divided by the producers before the game begins. However, there have been exceptions.

Schoolyard Pick

Main article: Schoolyard Pick

Some seasons have had the tribes selected by the contestants themselves. This is known as the "Schoolyard Pick".

• In Thailand and Gabon, the oldest male and female contestants were told that elders were given utmost respect in the location, and it was only fitting that they were the ones who will pick their tribe members.
• In Palau, the Schoolyard Pick was started by the winners of the first individual Immunity Challenge. The last two people left unpicked were eliminated from the game.

The schoolyard-style selection is not limited to just selecting starting tribes, but can be also used in a tribe switch (see below).

Tribes Preset by Production

In most early seasons, the castaways are divided into tribes semi-randomly:

• In Borneo, The Australian Outback, Africa, Marquesas, Pearl Islands, China, and Tocantins, the 16 contestants were divided into two tribes of eight, with four men and four women on each tribe.
• In All-Stars and every season since Survivor 41, the 18 contestants were divided into three tribes of six, with three men and three women on each tribe.
• In Guatemala, the 16 new contestants were divided into two tribes of eight, with four men and four women on each tribe. The two tribes were joined by a returning contestant from Palau, both of whom were already put into tribes.
• In Samoa, Cambodia, Game Changers, Ghost Island, Island of the Idols, and Winners at War, the 20 contestants were divided into two tribes of ten, with five men and five women on each tribe.
• In Redemption Island and South Pacific, the 16 new contestants were divided into two tribes of eight, with four men and four women on one tribe, and three men and five women on the other. The two returning contestants in each season (both men) had their tribes randomly drawn on Day 1.
• In Philippines, the 15 new contestants were divided into three tribes of five, with two men and three women on each tribe. The three tribes were joined by a returning male contestant who was evacuated from their previous season, each of whom were already put into tribes.
• In Edge of Extinction, the 14 new contestants were divided into two tribes of seven, with four men and three women on one tribe, and three men and four women on the other. They were joined by four returning players (two men and two women) who were already placed into tribes, one man and one woman each.

Tribes Divided by Theme

Until David vs. Goliath, tribes tended to be divided by a specific theme:

• In The Amazon, Vanuatu, and One World, tribes were separated by gender, known as the Battle of the Sexes twist. The Amazon had two tribes of eight, whereas the other two seasons had two tribes of nine.
• In Panama, the 16 contestants were divided into four tribes of four by age and gender (Older Men, Older Women, Younger Men, and Younger Women).
• In Cook Islands, the 20 contestants were divided into four tribes of five by ethnicity (African-American, Asian-American, Caucasian, and Hispanic). Each tribe had at least two men and at least two women.
• In Micronesia and Caramoan, the 20 contestants were divided into two tribes of ten: one tribe containing all-new players (the "Fans"), while the other has players from past seasons (the "Favorites"). Each tribe had five men and five women.
• In Heroes vs. Villains, the 20 contestants were divided into two tribes of ten by how they were generally perceived in their previous season(s), placing the contestants on either the Heroes or Villains tribe. Each tribe had five men and five women.
• In Nicaragua and Millennials vs. Gen X, the tribes were divided into two tribes of ten by age. Each tribe had five men and five women.
• In Blood vs. Water, the 20 contestants were divided into two tribes of ten, with five men and five women on each tribe. One tribe consisted of returning players (Galang) while the other tribe consisted of their loved ones (Tadhana).
• In Cagayan and Kaôh Rōng, 18 new castaways were divided into three tribes of six, based on a major trait or quality which they individually possessed, namely Brawn, Brains, and Beauty. Each tribe had three men and three women.
• In Worlds Apart, the 18 new contestants were divided into three tribes of six based on their professions and approaches to life: (White Collar, Blue Collar, and No Collar). Each tribe had three men and three women.
• In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, the 18 new contestants were divided into three tribes of six based on the positive traits commonly associated with them: (Heroes, Healers, and Hustlers). Each tribe had three men and three women.
• In David vs. Goliath, the 20 new contestants were divided into two tribes of ten based on how the castaways achieved their success in life, through hard work (Davids), or privilege (Goliaths). Each tribe had five men and five women.

Other

• Fiji was originally planned to start with 20 contestants, but one of them was unable to compete, leaving an odd number. Production rectified this by having one contestant divide the other 18 into two tribes of nine, each containing five men and four women; the picker would join the tribe that loses the first Immunity Challenge.
• San Juan del Sur repeated the Blood vs. Water division from the eponymous season, but with all new contestants. Originally planned to consist of 20 contestants, with two tribes of ten (each five men and five women), the numbers were reduced to 18 contestants on two tribes of nine (each five men and four women) when one pair was unable to compete.
• Survivor 45 continued the "New Era" divide of splitting 18 contestants into three tribes of six, with three men and women on each tribe. However, one of those tribes only had two new men, and they were joined by a returning male contestant who was evacuated from his previous season on Day 1, while the other two tribes contained all new players.

Names and Identification

Starting tribes are given unique names (usually based on local language, culture, or history) and identifying colors which are used on tribe flags, challenge props, on-screen text, and various other items. Each player is given a buff, an elastic ring of cloth generally adorned with the logo for the current season, that can be worn as an armband, headband, tube top, miniskirt, mask, or a bow tie. Players are required to wear the buff with the color of their tribe in a visible location at all times only being allowed to take their buffs off when Jeff Probst tells them to, allowing the audience to identify tribal affiliation.

Tribe Switch

See also: Tribe Switch.

The Malakal tribe of the Favorites drawing stones in preparation for the tribe switch.

The tribe switch is the very first Survivor twist. Jeff Probst asks the contestants to drop their buffs, signaling there will be a change in the nature and personal makeup of the tribes. In a tribe switch, the contestants will either end up at their original tribe or they will be swapped into another. They must give up their old buff and must don a new one. If there is a switch, it occurs before the merge, commonly catching players off-guard. As seen in All-Stars and Gabon, the switch twist may sometimes happen even when there are only ten players left, leading the remaining players to believe that a merge is coming. The logic of the switch is that the relationships from their first tribe will be tested in their new tribe, and will create additional possibilities when the tribes finally merge. Oftentimes, players who were not successful in their original tribe use the switch as an opportunity to create new bonds, and potentially last longer in the competition.

Mutiny

See also: Mutiny (twist).

Candice turning back from Aitutaki and to rejoin Rarotonga. Jonathan will soon follow.

The mutiny is a variation of the tribe switch. This twist allows players to change tribes at will. Like a traditional swap, the "mutineer" must surrender his/her old buff and will be given the same colored buff as his/her new tribe. The mutiny is a rare twist, as it was unpopular among players (as this is deemed a big, bold move for many, thus doing so will be very risky). Four seasons have offered a chance to mutiny, though from those four times, the offer was accepted only once.

• In Thailand, the first ever mutiny was offered at the Survivor Auction. No one accepted the offer.
• In Pearl Islands, a mutiny was offered, but was unanimously declined and not televised.^{[citation needed]}
• Cook Islands marked the only time the mutiny offer was accepted. Candice Woodcock, a former Rarotonga member, felt uneasy since transferring to the Aitutaki tribe. When the mutiny was offered, she turned on her tribe and jumped back. Jonathan Penner followed suit, leaving Aitutaki with four members, while Rarotonga's numbers increased to eight.
• In Tocantins, the mutiny was a sub-twist of Exile Island. Both banished castaways must pick one of two bottles. One bottle contains a clue of the whereabouts of the Hidden Immunity Idol and a choice to join the other camp, while the second one holds nothing. No one accepted the offer.

Tribe Dissolves

Another variant of the tribe switch is the "dissolve." Usually happens in a season with more than two tribes at a time, tribe(s) will be permanently disbanded, spreading its old members into the remaining tribes. Like in a traditional swap, members of a dissolved tribe must surrender their old buff and must join their new tribe.

• Before the fourth Reward Challenge in All-Stars commenced, a twist was revealed that only two of the three tribes will exist after the challenge, as the losing tribe will be dissolved and absorbed by the two winning tribes. Saboga wrote Survivor history as the very first tribe to retire before the merge. Ethan Zohn and Jerri Manthey were absorbed by Mogo Mogo, while Rupert Boneham and Jenna Lewis transferred to Chapera.
• In Palau, Ulong was conquered by its rival, Koror, transferring its last member to the opposing tribe; this makes it the only season not to have a merge.
• In Panama and Cook Islands, two of the four tribes were dissolved, and all the players were assigned to one of the two remaining tribes.
• In Philippines, Matsing lost the first four Immunity Challenges, dwindling their numbers from 6 to 2. The tribe was dissolved; Malcolm Freberg was absorbed by Tandang, and Denise Stapley by Kalabaw.
• In Cagayan, Luzon lost three of the first four Immunity Challenges, causing their numbers to drop to 3. The tribe was dissolved and the remaining fourteen castaways were shuffled between the remaining Aparri and Solana tribes. All three remaining Luzon members, Spencer Bledsoe, Tasha Fox, and Kass McQuillen, were placed on the new Aparri tribe.
• In Worlds Apart, the "White Collar" tribe, Masaya, was dissolved and the remaining fourteen castaways were shuffled between the remaining Escameca and Nagarote tribes.
• In Cambodia, the Angkor tribe was formed on Day 7 and then dissolved back into the remaining Ta Keo and Bayon tribes on Day 14.
• In Kaôh Rōng, To Tang lost three of the first four Immunity Challenges, dwindling the tribe from 6 to 3. The thirteen remaining castaways were shuffled between the remaining Chan Loh and Gondol tribes. To Tang was dissolved; Cydney Gillon and Kyle Jason were placed on Chan Loh, while Scot Pollard was placed on Gondol.
• In Game Changers, the Tavua tribe was formed on Day 7 and then dissolved back into the remaining Mana and Nuku tribes on Day 14.

Tribe Types

Starting Tribes

The two competing tribes of Tocantins, Timbira and Jalapao.

Each Survivor season starts with 16 to 20 contestants (dubbed as the "castaways") stranded in a remote location and will be left there for the next 39 days (42 in The Australian Outback; 26 starting in Survivor 41). The castaways will be then equally divided into teams "tribes". These tribes then will be sent out to separate camps identified by a colored tribe banner. Both camps are far apart from each other and they have an equal distance from the challenge areas, the production team's encampment and the Tribal Council set (example, if tribe A has a 1-mile distance from Tribal Council, so does tribe B; see the Camp article for more information). The resources of both camps (food and water) can be either equally found or compromising (example, tribe A's camp may have a better water source, but finding food would be difficult, while tribe B will have the opposite). From there on out, the contestants must fend for themselves in all aspects of survival (foraging for food, creating shelter, fishing, etc.). Tribes will also be given meager supplies (with a machete, water canteens, and a pot as staples), depending on the season (there are seasons that that have limited food rations, but there are some seasons that they were given only the staples). Earlier seasons allowed castaways to have a "luxury item" (a piece of home), though some seasons pit the players into the game without preparation (merely making them compete with only the clothes they are currently wearing). In Palau, running shoes were also provided for the contestants.

Merged Tribe

See also: Merge.

The newly painted flag of the merged Hae Da Fung tribe (China).

The Barramundi tribe (The Australian Outback), newly merged and feasting.

The merged tribe is composed of the remaining members of the two starting tribes. Whereas the starting tribes are named by the producers, the new tribe will be usually named by the castaways themselves.

They will be given a new, blank tribe flag and buffs with some paint to decorate the new flag. Usually, a feast is held at the new tribe's camp to celebrate the event. The merged tribe camp is generally the better of the two former tribe camps, but in rare cases (The Australian Outback, The Amazon, and Redemption Island) they will be relocated to a new beach. Reward Challenges may still be team-based (depending on the number of remaining players), but Immunity Challenges will be conducted on a strictly individual basis.

Auxiliary Tribe

Angkor, the first auxiliary tribe.

An auxiliary tribe is a third tribe introduced early in or midway through the pre-merge phase of the game through a tribe switch. The castaways of these tribes are usually relocated to a new beach where they must again set camp from scratch.

Ghost Tribe

The infamous Outcast tribe of Pearl Islands.

The only ghost tribe that appeared in the show was the infamous Outcasts in Pearl Islands, where the six eliminated players returned for a second chance to play the game.

Tribe Colors Per Season

Key
Bold Text	Merged Tribe
Italic Text	Dissolved Tribe
Underlined Text	Auxillary or "Ghost" Tribe
Regular Text	Lasted until Merge

Survivor New Zealand

Survivor New Zealand Tribe Colors Per Season
	Orange	Yellow/Gold	Blue/Teal	Purple	Black
Nicaragua	Mogotón			Hermosa	Casar
Thailand		Khangkhaw	Chani	Phsan
Total Uses:	1	1	1	2	1

Survivor (U.K.)

Survivor (U.K.) Tribe Colors Per Season
	Orange	Yellow/Gold	Blue/Teal	Red	Pink	No Color
Pulau Tiga	Sekutu	Helang	Ular
Panama			South Island	North Island		Columbus
Survivor U.K. (2023)	Caletón		La Nena		Calena
Total Uses:	2	1	3	1	1	1

Survivor Québec

Survivor Québec Tribe Colors Per Season
	Purple	Yellow/Gold	Blue/Teal	Orange	Red
2023	Kalooban	Tiyaga	Pag-Asa
2024			Bayani	Nawa	Dalawa
Total Uses:	1	1	2	1	1

Trivia

Unless otherwise stated, these trivia refer to records within the U.S. series.

Tribe Affiliations

• The tribe with the most affiliated members is Malolo, which accumulated 16 members over three tribal configurations.
  • The merged tribe with the most affiliated members is Vata, which contained 14 non-simultaneous members throughout its tenure.
• The tribes with the fewest affiliated members are Bayoneta and Viveros, with only 4 members each.
  • The merged tribe with the fewest members is Chuay Jai, the only tribe to merge with 8 members.
• The most common number of members in a merged tribe is ten, with 14 such tribes forming at the final ten.
• The most common number of members in a starting tribe is also ten, with 26 such tribes across 13 seasons.
• Aparri and Villains have produced the most winning games of any starting tribe, with 3 winning games between Tony Vlachos and Sarah Lacina on Aparri, and with 5 winning games between Sandra Diaz-Twine, Parvati Shallow, Rob Mariano, and Tyson Apostol on Villains.
  • Starting tribes that have produced 2 winning games include Ogakor, Maraamu, Drake, Chapera, and Hunahpu.
  • Outside of Winners at War, the tribe to contain the most winners (at filming or in future seasons) is Villains, which contained 4 winners.
• Malakal and Villains have produced the most returning players of any starting tribe, with 6 members apiece returning for future seasons.
• Aitutaki is the only tribe with no original members on the jury.
• Galu has produced the most jury members of any starting tribe, with 8 of 9 members of the Samoa jury coming from the tribe.
• Rob Mariano has been a member of 11 tribes, the most of any single contestant.
• Jonathan Libby and Wanda Shirk are the only contestants to never be a member of any tribe due to not being picked when the tribes were formed in Palau.
• Six contestants have been a member of four tribes in the same season: Jenna Lewis and Rupert Boneham in All-Stars, Andrew Savage in Cambodia, Cirie Fields in Game Changers, and Laurel Johnson and Sebastian Noel in Ghost Island.
• Five returning players have only been a member of two tribes each across their Survivor career: Tom Westman, Francesca Hogi, Russell Swan, Colton Cumbie, and Caleb Reynolds.

Tribe Tenure

• The longest-lasting tribe is Koror, which existed for 38 days from Day 2 to 39.
  • The longest-lasting officially merged tribes are Gitanos and Huyopa, both of which existed for 23 days from Day 16 to 39.
• The shortest-lasting tribes are Bayoneta and Viveros, which were dissolved after 4 days of existence.
  • The shortest-lasting merged tribe is Nobag, which existed for 12 days from Day 27 to 39.
• Saboga is the first starting tribe to not remain in existence until the merge.
• Eight tribes have changed camps at some point during their existence: Koror (on Day 2), Manono (on Day 12), Lumuwaku (on Day 36), Viakana (on Night 23), Kula Kula (on Night 23), Gaia (on Night 23), Va Va (on Night 23), and Dakuwaqa (on Night 23).
• Four starting tribes have been formed after Day 1: Koror, Ulong, Moto, and Ravu.

Tribe Colors

• Blue is the most common tribe color, with appearances in 29 seasons.
  • Blue is also the color with the longest continuous streak of appearances, being present in 7 seasons from David vs. Goliath to Survivor 43.
  • Blue starting tribes have also produced the most returning players, with 30 starting their Survivor careers on a blue tribe.
• Black is the most common color for a merged tribe, with appearances in 15 seasons.
• Green is the most common color for an auxiliary tribe, with appearances in 6 seasons.
• Yellow starting tribes have produced the most winners, with 10; blue tribes have produced the most finalists, with 27.
  • Blue tribes have produced the most female winners, with 7.
    • Tina Wesson, Jenna Morasca, Maryanne Oketch, Dee Valladares, and Kenzie Petty are the only female winners to have never been affiliated with a blue tribe throughout their Survivor career.
  • Orange tribes have produced the most male winners, with 7.
  • Purple tribes has produced the most LGBT winners, with 3.
• Orange is the most common color for a contestant to start their Survivor careers on, with 148.
• Rob Mariano, James Clement, and Malcolm Freberg have each been members of tribes of 7 different colors.