RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- Khadra Al-Sawarka, a Bedouin woman in her eighties, has embroidered her longing for desert life by making tents, rugs and handicrafts from goat hair in Beit Lahia, a city in the Gaza Strip north of Jabali. She has held an exhibition called, “The Qiblah of Bedouin life” in the Gaza Strip with the help of her children and grandchildren.

“I miss desert life so much. We used to have a quiet and simple life. There was no phone, no concrete buildings; we were away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We had a peaceful life,” Khadra Al-Sawarka said, telling her longing for desert life.

“We used to wake up early in the morning”

“In the desert, women used to take care of animals,” she said, “We used to wake up early in the morning and knead dough. Then, we would make bread on a circular iron plate. Young girls used to graze sheep in pastures and green lands. The grazing journey used to begin every morning after sunrise and end in the afternoon.”

“We used to meet our needs by exchanging goods”

Noting that there was a communal life in the desert, Khadra al-Sawarka said, “We used to share our meals, meet our needs by exchanging goods. Money was not important for us. We used to spin wool yards. Spinning a wool yard took almost three months.”

“Grazing camels is much easier”

Speaking about the difference between grazing camels and sheep, she said, “Grazing camels is much easier than grazing sheep because camels understand commands. After returning from grazing, we used to have meals and then rest in tents.”

“I brought my sheep to the city too”

Khadra al-Sawarka felt safer in the desert despite the hardships of desert life. “We used to make yogurt and cheese from sheep milk. I have 11 children. I brought my sheep to the city, too. But I had to sell them after I had health problems.”

Khadra Al-Sawarka taught her daughters and granddaughters everything she knows. Now, they stand on their own feet. Khadra Al-Sawarka thinks this is one of her achievements in her life. She has held an exhibition called, “The Qiblah of Bedouin life” in the Gaza Strip with the help of her children and grandchildren.