Ritual warfare, or endemic warfare, describes a recurring state of conflict in some tribal societies, primarily focused on displaying courage and masculinity while typically resulting in relatively few wounds or deaths, often functioning as a method of conflict resolution. Numerous cultures globally, including Native Americans, the Maasai of East Africa, the Zulu, Māori of New Zealand, and particularly the Yanomami of the Amazon (dubbed "the Fierce People"), developed distinct warrior traditions centered on these practices.

While often highly ritualized, these conflicts could escalate significantly; for instance, the Yanomami employed a multi-stage system ranging from chest-pounding duels to treacherous, all-out massacres. Inter-tribal warfare could also be brutal, with accounts of "wars of extermination" between groups like the Jívaro. Common triggers for these engagements varied, from pig theft among the Dugum Dani and Chimbu, to accusations of sorcery among the Yanomami. Ultimately, ritual warfare served to ease intra-group tensions and defined inter-tribal relations, sometimes even incorporating elements of play amidst the aggression.