Who are the Bedouins?

The Bedouins are a nomadic Arab tribe whose name is derived from badawi meaning ‘desert-dweller.’ They make up about one-tenth of the population of the Middle East, but cover in their wanderings nearly nine-tenths of its land area. Their pattern of life is determined by the grazing needs of their flocks which they follow all the year round, living in black goats’ hair tents. Traditionally they despise agricultural or manual work, and are happiest tending their herds of sheep, camels and highly-bred horses.