Unknown Tribe, Brazil

Another theory holds that tribus is perhaps derived from the Proto-Indo-European roots tri- ("three") and bhew- ("to be").
In 242–240 BC, the Tribal Assembly (comitia tributa) in the Roman Republic was organized in 35 Tribes (four "Urban Tribes" and 31 "Rural Tribes"). The Latin word as used in the Bible translates as Greek phyle "race, tribe, clan" and ultimately the Hebrew שבט (ʃevæt) or "sceptre". In the historical sense, "tribe," "race" and "clan" can be used interchangeably.