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Seen by a Diplomat’s
Spouse
there live in the obsolescent milieu of bedouins naturally
talented poets.
For the desert population, a woman cannot live without
a man; neither can a man live without a woman. Hence,
in the event of the death of a brother, his bedouin brother
is under obligation to marry his brother’s widow, even
if he is already married. This has frequently occurred
in the past on account of the many tribal wars, in which
mn (husbands) died, leaving widows behind. This was
logical, for a woman under the severe conditions of life
at the time, would be doomed without a husband, as she
would not be able to support herself and her children. On
the other hand, a man was also in need of a wife because
she was the one in charge of the household. This tradition
of polygamy has remained up to the present in the social
milieu of cities.
The life of a bedouin woman was very tough and hard.
Housework required a great deal of strenuous physical
efforts. Thus, she would repair the household things that
could not be lifted. She would grind the grains in primitive
hand mills, wash clothes, cook and wash the dishes and
utensils under circumstances of water shortage, knit
bedcovers and pillow sheets, as well as rugs, baskets and
other household accessories. She was ever ready to receive
unexpected guests. For a bedouin woman, reputation was
of great importance. Although she used to appear with a
veiled face, in the presence of men, it was common place
amidst the bedouin community that respect of a family
depends on its women. This necessitated that she be
able to bring up her children and instill in them bedouin
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Kingdom
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Seen by a Diplomat’s Spouse
traditions, that she obey her husband, be good-natured,
economically and moderately organized, not only in terms
of spending, but in terms of seeking to achieve potential
benefits, prepare meals and be able to perform the delicate
task of the proper reception of unexpected guests.
Bedouins have always been generous, spending
lavishly and providing generous hospitality to their
guests. This concept involves a complete system of tribal
values of complex adaptation and balancing of symbolic
behavior and applicable traditions. Food and shelter were,
literally, symbols of life and security. Anyone in the desert
is entitled to good reception, entertainment and food.
Moreover, the fire of the hearth should be kept burning at
the entrance of the tent of the most venerable of the tribal
men, in anticipation of a passer-by who may have lost
his way, or who shows up and seeks shelter. As a sign of
welcome, rugs are spread on the floor and the traditional
rites of coffee-serving takes place, followed by offering
delicious and abundant food. Subsequently, the guest is
offered a sleeping place in the best location and is never
asked about his plans and business, or where he comes
from and where he is heading. A hospitable man earns
the respect of his clan; and a bedouin unable to provide
food and protection to guests would be deprived of the
respect of his clan. On the other hand, if the guest eclines
the hospitability of his bedouin host, the latter would be
entitled to consider him an enemy.
Bedouins attribute a great deal of importance to the
reception of unexpected guests. When newcomers are
detected from a distance, all members of the family would