people. The Bedouins, both men and women wear wear an article of
clothing called a jalabiyya, it is a long cloak with a hood that usually is
ankle length. A Bedouin man wears a easily recognizable headpiece which
consists of a kuflyya' cloth and an 'agal-rope. This 'agal-rope is very
signifigant to Bedouins. Wearing this rope symbolizes the owners ability to
uphold the responsibility of being a man. Women wear headgear that
represents their obligations as well. All women must cover their heads at
all times with a black cloth called an 'asaba. These basic coverings, both of
male and female, directly reflect the environment through which they are
traveling.
The Bedouin life style is directly related to their constant motion. No
formal buildings are created where they would be obligated to stay and
tend to them. The Bedouin tent is divided is two by a woven curtain called
a ma'nad. The two sections each have their intended purposes. One of the
sections, called the mag'ad, translated in arabic as "sitting place", is used
for entertaining guests and recieving visitors. The other section is called
ma'nad. This section is used for cooking and recieving women guests. The
most permanent part of their existence is probably their burial
techniques. Although their burial services are short and simple, Bedouins
have a profound respect for their dead. They bury the deceased in a
shallow grave with a stone placed at the head and the foot of the grave.
The deceased's belongings are then stacked on top of the grave so that a
fellow traveler can come and use them.
Etiquette is also a large part of Bedouin life-style. When Bedouins
have visitors, they honor their presence by greeting them and serve them
spiced tea. "Visitors are also a cause for some festivity."(Sinai HP) These
festivities include music, dancing and poetry. Bedouins are notorious for
their music and their one-stringed violin called a rababa. Many Bedouins
are musicians called shabbaba, the Bedouin term for a bard specializing in
music.
In conclusion, Bedouin culture is one forged by the environment and
it's multi-faceted people. They are a people of traveling and music, and
respect most of all. They honor both those who come and those who leave.
Ironic that they seem most primitive to all Middle-Eastern cultures, yet
they have some of the most righteous and honorable virtues.