Almost all Bedouin are Arabic speaking and practice the Muslim religion. According to custom, a Bedouins grave is marked with simplicity, placing one ordinary stone at the head of the grave and one at its foot. Tradition is to leave the clothes of the deceased atop the grave, to be adopted by whatever needy travelers pass by. The Bedouin political systems are, customarily, based on an extended patriarchal family unit. A sheik leads each unit, from a minor family to an entire tribe, the title descends from father to eldest son. The actual political authority of each sheik depends upon his wealth and the personality that he portrays. The four classifications of the Bedouin social system are based on ancestry and mobile wealth. For example, the camel breeders, the highest of this caste system, usually intermarry and consider other Bedouin groups inferior.
Bedouins also produce their own woolen clothing. Members often shave their heads, but all men wear beards. The most recognized aspect of a Bedouin’s attire is his headgear--which consists of the kaffia-cloth and 'agal-rope that constitute proper attire for a Bedouin man. The head rope shows the wearer's ability to abide by the obligations and responsibilities of manhood. Also signaling their status with their headgear all women are required to keep their hair covered. The fashion of the Bedouin woman are usually of black garment decorated on the chest, while their head and face are protected by a special cover called a bourque, along with expensive jewels.
The typical Bedouin tent is made from strips of cloth woven from goat or camel hair and vegetable fibers, sewn together and dyed black. A Bedouin tent is divided into two sections by a curtain which is woven known as a ma'nad. One section, for the men and for reception, is called the mag'ad, or 'sitting place.' The other, is called the maharama, or 'place of the women. Living in tents, makes it easy for the Bedouin to travel. These tents provide a place to sleep, to entertain guests, and also a place to prepare and eat food, primarily meat, milk, and dairy products provided by their herds.
Living in an unforgiving environment, any violation of territorial rights is viewed as severe. In Bedouin culture, trespassers are neither easily forgiven nor quickly forgotten. At the same time, the Bedouin culture notices the dangers and hardships of the desert. Bedouins have a profound sense of hospitality. In all the solitude, simply encountering another person is a rather unusual event. A new face is cause for celebration, feast, and festivity. All these encounters are depicted and seen in Bedouin poetry, sayings, and songs. These encounters give the Bedouin a chance to socialize and possibly hold trades. In certain cases various tribes may travel together; these tribes will organize camel races monthly or annually. The winner of the race is generally viewed with high respect.
Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on Bedouin culture.
Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the URL.
If you are Bedouin, your feedback is much appreciated.
Written By: Jamie Zehnder
Lancaster, William. The Rwala Bedouin Today. London: Cambridge University Press, 1981.
"Bedouin Traditions" www. Labeduinatours.com/ Bedouin traditions.htm 14 Sept. 1999 .