SIBELIA EL-IBRAHIM

Raqqa- Although the capitalist system tries to spread its own culture by destroying ancient communities, it always faces the resistance of these societies. One of these communities is the community of Bedouins, nomadic Arab tribes inhabit in the deserts of the Middle East. Known as “the people of deserts”, the Bedouins preserve their culture based on common life.

 NuJINHA spoke to 80-year-old Huda Al-Raci, a Bedouin woman living in the Homs desert, about their culture.

They live in tents made from wool and handwoven

The Bedouins live in tents made from wool and handwoven, Huda Al-Raci said. “We decorate the tents with handwoven carpets. We make our living from animal husbandry. Each family has hundreds of sheep and goats. We make cheese, yogurt and butter. We are also involved in agriculture. We collect wood to cook food.”

They use camels to travel

The Bedouins reject the city life, said Huda Al-Raci. “We use camels to travel through the desert. We are nomadic people having no permanent settlement. We choose the appropriate areas for both ourselves and our animals. In summer, we extract water from deep wells and carry big plastic water containers for hours. In winter, we meet our water needs from the ponds.”

They hunt in spring

The main thing that distinguishes Bedouins from other communities is that they adapt to nomadic desert life and preserve their culture inherited from their ancestors. The Bedouins are also good hunters. “Hunting of deer is extremely important for young people. Our tribe has been hunting birds and deers in spring since ancient times.”

Speaking about their wedding traditions, she said, “We play the rababa (a kind of guitar) at the wedding parties. Young women dance Dabke (a folk dance of the Bedouins). This dance is full of rhythms of heroism and enthusiasm to put fear in the heart of the enemy, to celebrate the victory after a war.”

They serve Arabic coffee and palm fruit to their guests

 Huda Al-Raci told us that they served Arabic coffee and palm fruit to their guests. “Serving Arabic coffee is an ancient culture for the Bedouins.”

Bedouin women have played an important significant role in preserving their culture for ages. “Bedouin women are known for their intelligence, senses and wisdom. Women and girls decorate their faces and bodies with tattoos symbolizing their beauties. Due to the technological developments and modern opportunities, more people prefer city life but we are happy in our tents. As Bedouin women, we have preserved our culture and heritage for centuries.”