What is a Bedouin? A
Bedouin is one who was
born and raised in the desert or mountain wilderness and lives alongside nature in black
tents or in caves. Someone who raises goats, sheep, donkeys, horses and camels and who
knows how to milk and shepherd the goats and to ride the horses and camels. One who knows
how to use all kinds of herbs as food, drink and medicine. A person who can navigate and
live with ease in the desert. His life is simple – but his famed hospitality and
generosity is no myth. A Bedouin accepts and appreciates what he has and is willing to
share this. He is happy to give and to assist. He is proud of who he is and is loyal to
his land. A Bedouin sees bounty where you perceive barrenness and finds poetry in
everything. It is more than a name, it is a way of life.
Camels: Camels are domestic desert animals, which is something of a
contradiction in terms! Each one is branded on the shoulder at birth so they can be left
for months in the wild and then be returned or found by their owner when wanted. Although
they have a reputation in some parts for being bad-tempered, they are, in fact, very
gentle, docile animals who are extremely loyal to their owners with whom they form a very
close relationship. Camels have two pairs of eyelashes; one very long, curly pair to shade
their eyes from the sun and one shorter, straight pair to protect their eyes from the
sand. It is this that gives them the doleful look that makes them appear so vulnerable
although, in reality, they are very sturdy animals. They can live for up to 40 years. They
can go for seven days without water, even in the intense heat, and carry 200-300 kilos on
their backs. Take a ride on one of these graceful animals and listen to the sandpaper
swish of the hooves on the sandstone, each as big as a salad plate and as soft as a paw.
Horses: The Arabian horses are famous throughout the world for their
beauty, grace and speed. The equally famous English racehorses were originally bred from 6
Arab stallions. Bedouins are very proud of their horses and they treat them as one of the
family members. For many years horses were used for defence during the frequent
inter-tribal fights. The different breeds have different names and different origins. The
Bedouins have created many songs about the horse which describe their beauty and fitness
and the young men always talk about their horses with great pride. The horses are very
loyal to the person who feeds them, cares for them and rides them.
Ramadan:
Ramadan commemorates the revelation
of the Qu’ran to the Prophet Mohammed. During this time nothing is allowed to pass the
lips, including smoking, from dawn to dusk. The fast is broken each day at sunset with
Ramadan Breakfast which usually is quite a feast followed by many very sweet desserts.
This is also the occasion for family members to get together. It lasts for 28 days and
follows the lunar calendar moving back about 11 days each year.
Stone
Piles: You may notice small
pyramids of stones out in the desert. These mark the boundaries of somebody’s property
and indicate that at certain times of the year, such as planting times or maybe camel
calving times, this area is out-of-bounds. Herds of goats are definitely not invited to
trample over the area.
Wedding Parties:
Weddings are the occasion for a big
festival which takes place at the end of summer after harvest time. Many tents will be
erected outside close to the village or camp and decorated with colourful pieces of cloth
and flags. Whenever you see these tents, it means a wedding party and you can always
invite yourself. The host will be very happy to see more people participating in the
celebrations. Tea and coffee is served all night around the fire. All the men will dance
and sing together outside the tent while the women sing inside the tent. After three days
of festivities a huge lunch will be served to everybody. Many goats will be sacrificed and
500 people will be fed. On such occasions, people often help the bride by offering goats
or sheep or some gift.
.
A
Bedouin is one who was
born and raised in the desert or mountain wilderness and lives alongside nature in black
tents or in caves. Someone who raises goats, sheep, donkeys, horses and camels and who
knows how to milk and shepherd the goats and to ride the horses and camels. One who knows
how to use all kinds of herbs as food, drink and medicine. A person who can navigate and
live with ease in the desert. His life is simple – but his famed hospitality and
generosity is no myth. A Bedouin accepts and appreciates what he has and is willing to
share this. He is happy to give and to assist. He is proud of who he is and is loyal to
his land. A Bedouin sees bounty where you perceive barrenness and finds poetry in
everything. It is more than a name, it is a way of life.
Camels are domestic desert animals, which is something of a
contradiction in terms! Each one is branded on the shoulder at birth so they can be left
for months in the wild and then be returned or found by their owner when wanted. Although
they have a reputation in some parts for being bad-tempered, they are, in fact, very
gentle, docile animals who are extremely loyal to their owners with whom they form a very
close relationship. Camels have two pairs of eyelashes; one very long, curly pair to shade
their eyes from the sun and one shorter, straight pair to protect their eyes from the
sand. It is this that gives them the doleful look that makes them appear so vulnerable
although, in reality, they are very sturdy animals. They can live for up to 40 years. They
can go for seven days without water, even in the intense heat, and carry 200-300 kilos on
their backs. Take a ride on one of these graceful animals and listen to the sandpaper
swish of the hooves on the sandstone, each as big as a salad plate and as soft as a paw.
The Arabian horses are famous throughout the world for their
beauty, grace and speed. The equally famous English racehorses were originally bred from 6
Arab stallions. Bedouins are very proud of their horses and they treat them as one of the
family members. For many years horses were used for defence during the frequent
inter-tribal fights. The different breeds have different names and different origins. The
Bedouins have created many songs about the horse which describe their beauty and fitness
and the young men always talk about their horses with great pride. The horses are very
loyal to the person who feeds them, cares for them and rides them.
You may notice small
pyramids of stones out in the desert. These mark the boundaries of somebody’s property
and indicate that at certain times of the year, such as planting times or maybe camel
calving times, this area is out-of-bounds. Herds of goats are definitely not invited to
trample over the area.