The Bedouins live in the deserts of Asia and Africa.
A Bedouin is an Arab man who is nomadic (that is, he does not reside in a fixed place, but moves around different regions, usually while carrying out herding or hunting tasks). The term in our language comes from the French bédouin , in turn from the classical Arabic badawī.
The Bedouins, originally from Arabia , live in the deserts of Israel , Jordan , Iraq , Syria , and Saudi Arabia . They are also found in Morocco , Algeria , Tunisia , Mali , Egypt and Libya . They are usually organized into tribes , where a dialect is spoken.
Origin of the Bedouins
The first Bedouins were settled in the Arabian Peninsula and maintained a blood bond with each other, beyond the division into families . Different tribes often had conflicts in the time of the Prophet Muhammad , although they valued valor in battle, hospitality, and attachment to poetry.
Before Muhammad , the Bedouins were polytheists and revered trees, stones and other elements. With the prophet's teachings, they became Muslims . In fact the Bedouins were key actors in the spread of Islam .
The Bedouins are nomads.
Its current characteristics
It is estimated that there are still more than nine million Bedouins, most of whom live in Saudi Arabia . They can also carry out commercial activities. The Bedouins usually feed on bread, dairy products and various fruits that they get in the oases that exist in desert areas.
Dressed in tunics and other light clothing to withstand the high temperatures of the desert, Bedouins sleep in tents that can be closed tightly.
Other interesting facts about the Bedouins
Other interesting facts about the Bedouins are the following:
- It is considered that the Arab conquests that occurred during the 7th century brought with them a rapid and great expansion of these nomads. Specifically, where they developed the most was in the north of the African continent.
- One of the main reasons that leads Bedouins to continually move from one place to another is the search for water. However, they also do the same to find land where livestock can graze.
- Most Bedouins speak Badawi .
- One of the literary works that has managed to capture the history of the Bedouin tribes is known as the "Epic of Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah" . It is already part of UNESCO 's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity .
- The tents where the Bedouins live are divided into two clearly delimited parts that respond to the name of cats . One is for the men and guests and acts as a home. The other is for women and children while also functioning as a pantry. The younger males are in that part with their mothers until they are approximately seven years old.
- Dates and a butter called ghee are other of the most important foods that Bedouins eat.
- When it comes to dressing, you should know that the tunics used by men are called thawb , which are usually accompanied by a type of jacket ( kibrs ).