precivilization en · NOUN
Etymology
From pre- + civilization.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) The time prior to civilization.
In “Benguelê” (which refers to slaves’ nostalgic longing for Africa) he makes extensive use of crouching, stooped bodies in a simian, loping walk, arms hanging loosely and head down to suggest tribal dances, rituals, animals, a precivilization.
2008 March 27, Roslyn Sulcas, “Exotica of Brazil in Motion”, in New York Times: