WHO ARE BEDOUINS?
The Bedouin is a nomad, a highwayman, and sometimes a desert pirate. He is also a wanderer, but not for pleasure. He is forced to do so by the situation and the need to adapt to the desert conditions. Bedouins are also a traders. What he will become at any given moment depends on what will be more profitable for him. He is a businessman.
The man of the desert has many qualities. The most important are persistence and patience. Other qualities, and even virtues, of a Bedouin include hospitality, bravery, zeal and courage.
Among the people of the desert, religiosity was not essential. They did not care much for religion, but did silently pay tribute to the prophet Muhammad.
OCCUPATION
The Bedouin is very reluctant to change. He is not eager to be progressive. The kind of life his ancestors used to live suits him. They even graze the animals on the same pastures. He grazes because agriculture and any direct trade are beneath his dignity, so the main occupation of the Bedouin is sheep and camel farming, horse breeding and hunting.
Another Bedouin “occupation” was raiding. Raids on their neighbors, on other tribes and clans. They are called غَزْو. For a long time it was some form of banditry. They consisted of an expedition to nearby human settlements, looting and returning. During the raid, bloodshed was possible only when it was necessary.
Does the desert scare the Bedouins away? No! The desert is the guardian of its traditions. She defends him. It is his line of defense against the temptations outside. For this reason, if a Bedouin ever breaks free from the desert, he is no longer a Bedouin. The Bedouin lives very modestly. His daily meal consists of dates and a mixture of flour or baked grains with water or milk. The difficult conditions in which he lives do not allow this diet to be varied. The question of the Bedouin’s dress is similar. It consists of a long shirt with a belt and a loose top coat. They practically don't use pants and shoes. To shield the sun, the Bedouin uses a rope wrapped around it, called كُوفِيَّة .
BEDOUIN CLAN
The clan is the backbone of Bedouin society. Members of one clan consider themselves to be a great family in which the oldest male is the most important character. Members of one clan have an identical surname followed by a “banu” element.
Bedouins live in huge tents. Such a tent with home furnishings is an individual property. The place where the Bedouins are located belongs to all members of the clan. Water, pasture, and farmland are the property of the entire tribe. One family lives in each tent. Such a camp made of tents creates حَيّ. The members of حَيّ form one clan – that is قَوْم. Several clans form one tribe called قَبِيلَة.
The blood for blood rule applies among Bedouins. Retaliation expeditions are very popular. In case of murder outside the clan, the law of bloody vengeance applies and then each clan member can pay for it with his life. There are very strict rules inside the clan. If a murder is committed within the clan, the murderer cannot count on anyone’s defense, and if he escaped, he would become a lawless outlaw.
Bedouins believe in the spirit of the clan. Such a belief is called عَصَبِيَة .عَصَبِيَة is about boundless and unconditional loyalty to the clan members. This trait cannot be eradicated and has a huge impact on people in one clan. عَصَبِيَة developed most strongly after the rise of Islam, which led to the collapse of various Muslim states.
SHEIKH
Sheikh is the clan representative. He is its oldest member. His leadership manifests itself in courage, generosity, and sober advice. Despite his position, the sheikh is not the absolute ruler. In matters where mutual consent is required, the sheikh has no authority. Age seniority and personal qualifications determine the choice of the head of the tribe. People don't elect Sheikh for life. If he loses the respect of voters, he loses his position.
