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Ancient Origins of Secret Societies
- Secret societies have existed since before civilization, emerging to control valuable specialized knowledge.
- They created class distinctions and political elites by gatekeeping skills like advanced canoe-making among the Chumash people.
Secret Societies as Early Diplomats
- Secret societies facilitated diplomacy and resource sharing between conflicting tribes.
- They enabled coordinated responses to disasters beyond individual tribal capabilities.
Secret Societies Reinforce Power
- Secret societies include ritual inductions, secret rites, and mythological justifications.
- They often reinforce power structures by uniting select adults against outsiders.