Totem tribes

The Totem tribes were a number of Dwarvish tribes collectively rules by the four 'totems' - elders known as the wolf, the snake, the bear, and the turtle. There are 4 tribes, referred to as clans, each with a single elder. They were mostly absorbed into the Empire.

Clans

 * Fellaxe clan - the Wolf
 * Icehammer clan - the Bear
 * Stoneshield clan - the Turtle
 * Fiercedagger clan - the Snake

Conflict with the Empire.
At first the tribes refused to join the growing Dwarven Empire, however, the snake at that time agreed with Hrun Stonelord to support him in return for a high rank within the Empire, and the tribes broke up.

Whilst the snake and the turtle joined the Empire, the wolf and the bear were exiled from their clans for refusing.

Present
The clans still exist, although as communities rather than being self ruled. However, the Wolf and the Bear have not been replaced.