Summary
There are approximately 8,000 Bedouin families living in scattered rural settlements (also known as spontaneous hamlets) in the Negev desert, southern Israel, and about a thousand of these raise sheep and goats for their livelihood. These families are considered to be on the economic margins of Israeli society, in that analyses of Bedouin flock raising have shown marginal profitability and even losses. Why then do these families continue raising sheep and goats? The aim of this study was to examine the reasons for the maintenance of the flocks, focusing on genealogical and labour division issues. Data were collected using participant observation and structured interviews from 24 families living in such scattered settlements and raising flocks. Flocks were divided into small, medium and large, with 8 flocks in each group. Results showed a clear division of labour tasks related to the flock between sexes and among generations. The flock functioned as a cohesive factor among family members due to the mutual work and responsibility to the flock imposed on each family member. Reciprocal commitment and loyalty among family members was strengthened as a consequence of the division of flock ownership among them.
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Extract
Labour Division and Family Cohesion Among Bedouin Flock Raiser Households in Scattered Rural Settlements in the Negev Desert, Southern Israel
INTRODUCTION
The Negev Desert, 12,500 square km in size, is part of the Sahara-Arabian belt. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Sinai Peninsula to the south, the Arava valley to the east, and the 200 mm isohyets to the north. The northern Negev is semi arid, averaging about 200 mm rain per year, the central Negev is arid averaging about 90 mm rain per year, and the southern Negev is hyper arid, averaging about 25 mm rain per year (Stern et al. 1986; Bilan and Rubin, 1994; Even-An et al., 1997). Spatial and temporal erratic precipitation regimes, extreme temperature oscillations and high levels of evapotranspiration, typical characteristics of deserts (Bruins and Berliner, 1998; Bruins and Lithwick, 1998), also prevail in the Negev (Bitan and Rubin, 1994; Even-Ari et al., 1997).Approximately 150,000 Bedouin live in the Negev Desert, southern Israel. About 50% live in planned townships, while the rest live in scattered, non...See the full content of this document
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