Book
The Rwala Bedouin today
Cambridge University Press • Cambridge, [Cambridgeshire] • Published In 1981 • Pages: x, 179
By: Lancaster, William.
Abstract
This book explores how the Rwala Bedouins responded to effects of external forces that have impinged upon their culture and economy from 1900 to 1970s. The most important of these forces include the divison of Rwala's traditional homeland among four newly emerged states (namely Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq), the booming of oil in the region, and civil wars and radical government changes especially in Syria. The book argues that these forces have required Rwala families, lineages and Sheiks to continuously balance between tradition and change. While accepting citizenship to a territorially bounded nation state and participating in crossboarder markets, the Rwala have, for example, continued pursuing their age-old culturally-desired goal of improving one's status by earning reputation and herding camels not only for their economic values, but also for the special meanings associated with them as symbols of wealth and identity.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2009
- Region
- Middle East
- Sub Region
- Middle East
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem; 2007
- Field Date
- 1972-1975
- Coverage Date
- 1900-1975
- Coverage Place
- Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq
- Notes
- William Lancaster
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-174) and index
- LCCN
- 80041547
- LCSH
- Bedouins--Saudi Arabia/Saudi Arabia--Social life and customs