“The Blessing” in the Lives of Three Generations of Bedouin Women

Abstract

In this article, I address the meaning of the blessing in the lives of Bedouin women in Israel as it is reflected in their life stories and discuss the significance attributed to “the blessing that has vanished.” The Bedouin sector in the State of Israel is undergoing radical changes in terms of types of residence, lifestyle, society, and culture, with far-reaching consequences for Bedouin society in general and for women in particular. In certain respects, Bedouin society is becoming more progressive and open, while in others it is becoming more closed and conservative. In young women, progress stimulates the desire for self-realization, the yearning to determine their own future and assume new roles, while conservatism places obstacles before them. A narrative study conducted among 30 Bedouin women from three generations aimed to examine how they experience the changes that occurred during three periods of settlement. It was found that for each generation these changes have a different meaning. Among the central themes that arose in the study were the home, the good wife, couple’s relationships, means of expression, and others. This article focuses on the theme of the blessing and its significance as it is expressed in the life stories of Bedouin women.