Educational Anthropology in Bedouin Society

Abstract

I grew up as part of a semi-nomadic family. Up to the age of twenty, I lived in a tent with my parents, brothers, and sisters. My family raised sheep, goats, camels, horses, and donkeys. When I was a young boy I used to be a shepherd near my parents' encampments, taking care of the kids and lambs most of the day. Together with half a dozen other boys, I studied three to four hours a day with a tribal teacher in a small tent or cave. We used to take turns bringing the teacher his food—breakfast and lunch. He taught us Arabic, arithmetic, and some verses from the Holy Quran.