The tribes mentioned in the Rigveda are described as semi-nomadic pastoralists. During the Rigvedic period, they formed a warrior society, engaging in endemic warfare and cattle raids ("") among themselves and against their enemies, the "Dasyu" or Dasa. When not on the move, they were subdivided into temporary tribal settlements (vish, vis) composed of several villages, and each village was composed of several families. These settlements were headed by a tribal chief (raja, rajan) assisted by warriors (kshatra) and a priestly caste (brahma).