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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, Survivor 41, Survivor 42, Survivor 43, Survivor 44 and Survivor 46, 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 MenOlder Women, Younger Men, and Younger Women).
  • In Cook Islands, the 20 contestants were divided into four tribes of five by ethnicity (African-AmericanAsian-AmericanCaucasian, 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, 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.
Micronesiaswitch

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).
Aitu

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.

Tribe Types[]

Starting Tribes[]

Tocantins

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.
S15 Hae Da Fung Flag

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

Barramundi

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[]

AngkorTribe

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[]

Outcast

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 (U.S.)[]

Survivor (U.S.) Tribe Colors Per Season
Orange Yellow/Gold Green Blue/Teal Red Magenta Purple Black Brown
Borneo Tagi Pagong Rattana
The Australian Outback Barramundi Ogakor Kucha
Africa Boran Moto Maji Samburu
Marquesas Maraamu Rotu Soliantu
Thailand Chuay Gahn Chuay Jai Sook Jai
Amazon Jaburu Tambaqui Jacaré
Pearl Islands Morgan Drake The Outcasts Balboa
All-Stars Saboga Mogo Mogo Chaboga Mogo Chapera
Vanuatu Alinta Yasur Lopevi
Palau Ulong Koror
Guatemala Nakúm Yaxhá Xhakúm
Panama La Mina Viveros Bayoneta Casaya Gitanos
Cook Islands Manihiki Puka Puka Rarotonga Aitutaki Aitutonga
Fiji Ravu Moto Bula Bula
China Zhan Hu Fei Long Hae Da Fung
Micronesia Airai Dabu Malakal
Gabon Kota Nobag Fang
Tocantins Forza Jalapao Timbira
Samoa Foa Foa Aiga Galu
Heroes vs. Villains Heroes Villains Yin Yang
Nicaragua La Flor Espada Libertad
Redemption Island Ometepe Zapatera Murlonio
South Pacific Te Tuna Upolu Savaii
One World Manono Salani Tikiano
Philippines Tandang Matsing Kalabaw Dangrayne
Caramoan Gota Enil Edam Bikal
Blood vs. Water Galang Tadhana Kasama
Cagayan Aparri Luzon Solana Solarrion
San Juan del Sur Coyopa Huyopa Hunahpu
Worlds Apart Masaya Escameca Nagarote Merica
Cambodia Orkun Angkor Ta Keo Bayon
Kaôh Rōng Gondol Chan Loh To Tang Dara
Millennials vs. Gen X Vanua Ikabula Takali Vinaka
Game Changers Mana Maku Maku Tavua Nuku
Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers Soko Levu Yawa Solewa
Ghost Island Malolo Yanuya Naviti Lavita
David vs. Goliath David/Vuku Tiva Kalokalo Goliath/Jabeni
Edge of Extinction Kama Lesu Manu Vata
Island of the Idols Lairo Lumuwaku Vokai
Winners at War Yara Sele Dakal Koru
Survivor 41 Yase Ua Luvu Viakana
Survivor 42 Taku Vati Ika Kula Kula
Survivor 43 Baka Gaia Coco Vesi
Survivor 44 Ratu Soka Tika Va Va
Survivor 45 Dakuwaqa Lulu Belo Reba
Survivor 46 Nami Siga Yanu
Total Uses: 23 25 24 30 22 2 18 16 1

Australian Survivor[]

Australian Survivor Tribe Colors Per Season
Orange Yellow/Gold Green Blue/Teal Red Magenta Purple Black Gray Pink
Australian Survivor (2002) Kadina Tipara Aurora
Celebrity Survivor Australia Kakula Moso Tanna
Australian Survivor (2016) Vavau Saanapu Aganoa Fia Fia
Australian Survivor (2017) Asaga Samatau Asatoa
Champions v Contenders (2018) Champions Contenders Koro Savu
Champions v Contenders (2019) Champions Soli Bula Contenders
All Stars Vakama Mokuta Kalo Kalo
Brains v Brawn Brains Fire Brawn
Blood v Water Water Blood Lava
Heroes v Villains Heroes Villains Fa'amolemole
Titans v Rebels Titans Rebels
Tasi
Total Uses: 1 4 2 10 5 1 1 7 1 2

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 South Africa[]

Survivor South Africa Tribe Colors Per Season
Orange Yellow/Gold Green Blue/Teal Red Purple Black White Pink
Panama Burba Aguila Rana
Malaysia Bajau Iban Empu
Santa Carolina Timbila Chibudu Kululama
Maldives Raituhn Goma Eku
Champions Juara Salvation Utara Selatan
Philippines Visayas Mindanao Luzon Araw
Island of Secrets Manumalo Laumei Sa'ula Ta'alo
Immunity Island Vuna Zamba Osindile
Return of the Outcasts Salan Masu Yontau
Total Uses: 3 6 1 8 6 2 2 2 1

Expedition Robinson (Sweden)[]

Expedition Robinson (Sweden) Tribe Colors Per Season
Orange Yellow/Gold Green Blue/Teal Red Purple Black White Brown Gray
Expedition Robinson 1997 South Team North Team
Robinson
Expedition Robinson 1998 South Team Robinson North Team
Expedition Robinson 1999 East Team South Team North Team West Team
Robinson
Expedition Robinson 2000 South Team North Team Robinson
Expedition Robinson 2001 South Team North Team
Robinson
Expedition Robinson 2002 South Team North Team Robinson
Expedition Robinson 2003 South Team Veterans Challengers
North Team Robinson
Expedition Robinson 2004 South Team North Team Robinson Team X
Expedition Robinson VIP Sverige Norge Danmark Robinson
Expedition Robinson 2005 North Team South Team Robinson
Robinson 2009 Magkal Parangan Robinson
Karibien Brise Agwe Legba
Robinson 2010 Buwanga Lubad Sarimanok Kalis
Robinson 2011 Kalinga Naiwan Bontoc Gago Matal
Revanschen Tigas Guntao Robinson
Love Edition Sreros Srei Bros
Fiji North Team Robinson South Team
Robinson 2019 North Team Robinson South Team
Robinson 2020 North Team Robinson South Team
Robinson 2021 North Team South Team Robinson
Robinson 2022 North Team West Team East Team South Team Robinson
Malaysia North Team South Team Robinson
Robinson 2023 South Team Robinson North Team
Philippines South Team Robinson North Team
Robinson 2024 South Team North Team
Total Uses: 3 22 16 17 16 2 6 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

Trivia[]

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

Tribe Affiliations[]

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 is also the color with most returning players start their Survivor careers on, with 30.
  • 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.
    • Orange tribes have produced the most male winners, with 6.
  • 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.

References[]

Survivor Gameplay
Challenges Challenge Advantage · Do-It-Yourself Challenge · Duel · Family Visit · Immunity Challenge (Final Immunity Challenge) · Immunity Idol · Immunity Necklace · Medallion of Power · Reward Challenge · Survivor Auction
Elimination Edge of Extinction · Ejection · Evacuation · Final Tribal Council · Jury · Null Vote · Quit · Redemption Island · Snuffer · Sole Survivor (Perfect Game) · Tiebreaker · Torch · Tribal Council · Urn
Strategy Alliance · Goat Strategy · Pagonging · Split Vote
Social Dynamics Final Two · Final Three · Merge · Tribe
Twists Casting Battle of the Sexes · Blood vs. Water · Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty · Old vs. Young · Returning Players · Schoolyard Pick · Tribes Divided by Ethnicity
Tribal Council Advantage Amulet · Do or Die · Double Elimination · Double Tribal Council · Extra Vote · Hidden Immunity Idol (History) · Idol Nullifier · Joint Tribal Council · Juror Removal · Legacy Advantage · Knowledge is Power · Safety Without Power · Shot in the Dark · Vote Blocker · Vote Steal
Game Mechanics Advantage Menu · Buried Treasure · Day Zero · Exile Island · Fake Merge · Fire Token · First Impressions · Ghost Island · Haves vs. Have Nots · Hourglass · Island of the Idols · Kidnapping · Looting · Mutiny · One World · Reward Steal · Summit · The Outcasts · Tribe Leader · Tribe Switch
Post-Game Fan Favorite Award · Lawsuits and Legal Action · Ponderosa · Reunion Show
Miscellaneous Buff · Camp · Confessional · Luxury Item · Rites of Passage · Survivor Rulebook · Ulonging
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