Who are the Bedouins?
Bedouins traditionally live a nomadic lifestyle, spreading from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean, and from the borders of Turkey to Yemen. The word ‘bedouin’ comes from the Arab word ‘Bedou’ that means “desert dweller.” Estimates say nomadic Bedouins constitute about 10% of the population of the Middle East. What are their lives like? Bedouin life is generally pastoral, herding camels, sheep, goats and cattle. They normally migrate seasonally, depending on grazing conditions. In winter, when there is some rain, they migrate deeper into the desert. In the hot, dry summer time, they camp around secure water sources. Bedouins define themselves as members of tribes and families. People are divided into social classes, depending on ancestry and profession. Passing from one class to another is relatively feasible, but marriage between a man and a woman of different classes is difficult. Traditionally, the Bedouin’s home, the tent, is divided into three sections by curtains: the men’s s
