The Bedouin Tent

The New World Encyclopedia states: Bedouin, derived from the Arabic word badawī بدوي, a generic name for a desert-dweller, is a term generally applied to Arabnomadic pastoralist groups, who are found throughout most of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara via the Western Desert, Sinai, and Negev to the eastern coast of the Arabian desert. It is occasionally used to refer to non-Arab groups as well, notably the Beja of the African coast of the Red Sea. They constitute only a small portion of the total population of the Middle East although the area they inhabit is large due to their nomadic, or former nomadic lifestyle. Reductions in their grazing ranges and increases in their population, as well as the changes brought about by the discovery and development of oil fields in the region, have led many Bedouin to adopt the modern urban, sedentary lifestyle with its accompanying attractions of material prosperity.

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Bedouins have always lived in long, low, black tents made of goat and camel hair cloth woven by the women. It is supported by a line of tall central poles in the middle, whilst the front, back and sides are supported on lower poles. The number of poles is an indication of the owner’s wealth and social standing.

 

The tent is very well adapted to desert life. It can be packed up and ready to be moved within an hour. It is waterproof as the wool and hair from which it is woven expand when wet. It is warm in the cold desert nights and provides shelter from the wind. At midday, when the desert is extremely hot, the sides and back can be rolled up to let the breeze through, and it then offers a shaded and cool space. It can also be easily repaired when damaged.

 

The mens’ living quarter is at the front of the tent and is divided by a curtain from that of the women. The mens’ quarter is also used for receiving guests. The all important coffee hearth is scooped out of the sand in front of it. The coffee making and serving implements lie nearby. The women can watch their menfolk and visitors by looking over the dividing wall. The family lives, sleeps and cooks its food in the womens’ quarter.

 

The floor is covered by rugs and cushions for sitting and sleeping. The stores of water and food are stacked at the back in sacks and containers. The more affluent may have an electricity generator for light and power, a TV set, a sewing machine and other modern appliances. Outside the tent, a tractor and pickup van may compete with the camels and the flocks.

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