The Bedouins of Arabia

[Music] Hallelujah. [Music] The coastal cities of Saudi Arabia are much like seapports anywhere in the Middle East. A mixture of traditional leisure and modern [Music] bustle. Many of the farmers and nomads of yesterday are the laborers of today. Some are veterans, members of the great family of desert Arabs. [Music] But in spite of the lure of work for wages in seapports and oil camps, the old desert ways survive in Saudi Arabia, particularly among the veterans of the southwest. [Music] [Music] Some of the Oasis communities are permanent, some are nomadic, moving from oasis to oasis. But the way of life is much as it has been for ages. [Music] Can you know what has [Music] There are two main stays of life in the desert. Water and the camel. Camel milk is as basic to the bedawin as rice to the Asian or wheat to the North American. Only men and boys milk the camels. [Music] The men travel the vast stretches of desert a great deal. They go hunting. They raid other tribes or retaliate for raids against them. Men are wounded and killed. There are many ancient feuds still alive in this region. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] In the desert, any camel in milk is available to anyone. No opportunity to get milk is passed by. [Music] Vegetation is very sparse, but the desert isn't barren. One half hour of rain can cause growth to spring up magically. Growth which can remain green for as much as 2 years. Camp is made in some fairly sheltered spot where firewood and some grazing for the camels can be found. The daily food just sustains life. Unleavened bread, perhaps a little butter. On rare occasions, meat, a few dates, and a little milk. A faith. Favorite game is a form of checkers played with camel droppings. The food is fairly shared with each man very careful to take no more than is due him. If there are dates, each man will share a few with his camel. The other travelers are friendly, indicating they're not hostile by kicking up sand. The nose salute is traditional. So is the inevitable question, what is the news? The traditional response is the news is good. Whether it's really good or not, [Music] The visitors must be given coffee and will share whatever food there is. The early mornings are often bitterly cold. It helps when there's enough wood for a good fire and coffee left for a hot drink. [Music] I got a house. I got [Music] [Music] Hello. Hello. [Music] You're right there. The camels are permitted to rest and graze whenever possible. The Bedawin sees a great deal in the desert. From the tracks of other travelers, he knows just who has passed this way, how many persons, of what tribe, and just when. The tracks of animals tell him what game he may find. gazelle or onyx or rabbits, fox, lizards, rodents, and there are signs of poisonous snakes and scorpions to watch for. [Music] [Music] [Music] The desert is not a smooth surface. There are many hill-like sand dunes, and in the fierce heat of the day, the camels are not ridden. [Music] Yeah, stop. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Journeys end. A friendly oasis. [Music] The oasis has so many comforts and pleasures for the traveler. Lots of good water. Water to spare and even waste. [Music] [Applause] [Music] There's time and leisure for hawking, a favorite Bedawin pastime. [Music] Halish up. It's up. [Music] [Applause] With luck, there may be a wedding or a festival and a dance. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Godl. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] Or if a wealthy shake is visiting, he may offer a prize for a camel race. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Best of all, there will be old friends to meet, to share food and talk. The greatest pleasure for the Bedawin is conversation. [Music] [Music] Don't They're standing. [Applause] [Music]