The Bedouin people are often associated with the Middle East, but there are many that also live in North Africa.
In fact, they live in virtually every North African country, including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan (home to the largest population).
Because most of the traditional Bedouin live in the desert, their interactions with tourists are often minimal, making learning about their culture in person somewhat difficult.
The name Bedouin comes from the Arabic word “Badawiyyini” and literally means desert dwellers. The Bedouin people historically came from the Arabian and Syrian deserts but now are widespread across the deserts of North Africa.
Facial tattoos are a traditional cultural practice among the Bedouin. Many wear it as a protective amulet that’s permanently worn on the body, which is quite different than how westerners use tattoos. It’s also forbidden in Islam to have a tattoo, so it’s generally only the nomadic Bedouins that will have these.
Although Bedouin women tattooed themselves all over their bodies – wrists, ankles, breasts, thighs – facial tattoos were the most significant as they were visible to the public. Tattoos were most commonly located on several significant spots on the face: dots or symbols above or between the eyebrows, dots on the nose, beauty spots on the cheek and lines and symbols below the lip and on the chin.
Tattoos traditionally symbolised protection in battles and wars as well as from spirits and the evil eye. In some areas, tattoos were also used for medical purposes; many believed that a combination of dots on the side of the head or above the eyes would heal aches and pains and prevent disease.
Meals in Bedouin homes are usually done around one large tray with men on one side and women on another side. Like many cultures around the world, they only eat with their right hand. While the plates might be full of food, most Bedouin people eat fast and modestly. If you ever go into a Bedouin tent on a desert excursion, be sure to ask your host about eating etiquette — they’ll be happy to show you.
