The Bedouins are seen as Arabian culture’s purest representatives and known as the “ideals”, especially because of their rich oral poetic tradition, their nomadic lifestyle and their traditional code of honour.The Egyptians refer to the Bedouins as ''Arab", but Bedouins are distinct from other Arab’s because of their extensive kinship networks, which provide them with community support and the basic necessities for survival. Such networks have traditionally served to ensure safety of families and to protect their property.
Also the term 'A'raab' has been synonymous with the term 'nomad' since the beginning of Islam.
The Bedouins are recognized by their special language, social structures and culture. Only few Bedouins live as their forefathers did in camel- and goat hair tents, raising livestock, hunting and raiding. Their numbers are decreasing and nowadays there are approximately only 5% of Bedouins still live as pastoral nomads in all of the Middle East.
Bedouins have different facial features by which they can be distinguished from other Egyptians and also they generally dress differently.The Bedouin men wear long "djellabaya" and a "smagg" ( a red white draped headcover) or "aymemma" (a white headcover) or a white small headdress, sometimes held in place by an "agall" which is a black cord.
The Bedouin women usually wear brightly coloured long dresses but when they go outside they dress in an "abaya" (a thin, long black coat) and they will always cover their head and hair when they leave their house with a "tarha" (a black and thin shawl). Traditionally a woman's face was hidden behind a highly decorated "burqa'ah" but this is now only seen with the older generations.
The Bedouins have a rich culture and their own Arabic "Bedawi" language, which has different dialects depending on the area where they live. In former days they emphasised on the strong belief in its tribal superiority, in return to the tribal security they survive in a hostile environment.
Also the term 'A'raab' has been synonymous with the term 'nomad' since the beginning of Islam.
The Bedouins are recognized by their special language, social structures and culture. Only few Bedouins live as their forefathers did in camel- and goat hair tents, raising livestock, hunting and raiding. Their numbers are decreasing and nowadays there are approximately only 5% of Bedouins still live as pastoral nomads in all of the Middle East.
Bedouins have different facial features by which they can be distinguished from other Egyptians and also they generally dress differently.The Bedouin men wear long "djellabaya" and a "smagg" ( a red white draped headcover) or "aymemma" (a white headcover) or a white small headdress, sometimes held in place by an "agall" which is a black cord.
The Bedouin women usually wear brightly coloured long dresses but when they go outside they dress in an "abaya" (a thin, long black coat) and they will always cover their head and hair when they leave their house with a "tarha" (a black and thin shawl). Traditionally a woman's face was hidden behind a highly decorated "burqa'ah" but this is now only seen with the older generations.
The Bedouins have a rich culture and their own Arabic "Bedawi" language, which has different dialects depending on the area where they live. In former days they emphasised on the strong belief in its tribal superiority, in return to the tribal security they survive in a hostile environment.