Picture
the scene. You wake up to the feel of the cool dawn
air. The day starts with the scent of sand and the
small of freshly brewed coffee. Venturing outside
your tent, you are greeted by the spectacular desert
wilderness, stretching out to infinity. You stand
in awe as the sun rises over the distant sand dunes.
Having taken in the breathtaking view and basked in
the warmth of the sun’s early morning rays,
you wander into the communal tent. There, people are
gathering, relaxing on cushions and starting the day
with a burst of strong Arabic coffee and a fragrant,
warm pita. The sound of the desert flock is all that
can be heard.
This is how many of us imagine the Bedouin experience
to be. We consider their lifestyle to be romantic
and free; roaming from place to place and setting
up home at each new oasis. But is our romantic vision
a reality?
Looking into the Bedouin way of life, preserved for
thousands of years, can give us an indication of desert
life and Middle Eastern culture from times past.
The Israeli Bedouin Community
Bedouins in Israel are ‘a minority within a
minority’. They number around 160,000 out of
an Israeli Arab population of 1,498,000 (CBS figures
from 2009). They mainly live in two regions; in the
Negev, in the South of Israel and in the Galilee,
in the North.
Traditionally a transient people, most Israeli Bedouins
have now put down firm roots in the areas they live.
They would make a fascinating topic for many types
of production in Israel; travelogues, historical documentaries,
political and social documentaries and more.
A Changing Community
The Bedouin community has undergone radical change
over recent years;
most are setting down roots as opposed to wandering;
many now live in urban areas as opposed to rural
settings;
the younger generation are seeking a variety of
professions rather than tending livestock.
Consequently, the culture, retained for thousands
of years, is today starting to unravel and a conscious
effort is being made to preserve and document the
remnants of their rich and ancient traditions.
The Bedouin Experience
From a film maker’s perspective, capturing
the Bedouin culture is top priority. There are different
ways of doing this for your production in Israel.
Bedouin Tourism
Over recent years, the Bedouin community have begun
opening up their homes to tourists, allowing them
to sample a traditional way of life, so remote from
their own.
These popular tourist experiences provide a fascinating
insight into a lifestyle that is gradually eroding.
Kfar Hanokdim is a valley in the Judean desert, between
Masada and Arad. It is a green oasis with scenery
that has not changed since biblical times. The Bedouins
here have holiday accommodation and give a lively
explanation of their roots, culture and lifestyle.
They provide authentic Bedouin feasts and really give
a flavor of a lifestyle that is gradually dying out.
There are many such villages that are open to the
public, each would be an ideal way to capture on film
the amazing and authentic Bedouin way of life.
The Museum of Bedouin Culture
This museum houses a rich collection of artifacts
that document the Bedouin culture in the Sinai and
Negev. It includes photographs and authentic items
to preserve an almost extinct culture.
Displays include:
Traditional Bedouin tents and costumes
Smoking items and weapons
Customary Jewelry
Food and material products with explanations
on how these are produced, including the spinning
and weaving of wool from Bedouin flocks
Traditional farming equipment
Equipment used for riding camels and for transporting
goods on them. They also have an exact replica of
fully decorated wedding camel
Wooden, leather and palm frond items used
by Bedouins for everyday life
Slides and photographs to record key details
of the rich Bedouin culture
Bedouin sculptures, woodwork, embroidery and
art
The centre includes mock ups of caves from different
time periods including burial caves and those hidden
in at the time of Bar Kochba.
Some Bedouin Images to Preserve on Film
Black Bedouin tents are called, ‘bayt char’
– house of hair. Made from goats’ hair
they are amazingly effective at keeping inhabitants
cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Bedouin costumes differ slightly in terms of style
and color although all have a common theme. The long
robes or ‘jallabiya’, accompanied by the
‘hattah’ or headscrarf, is the traditional
dress of Bedouin men. Women wear long, loose garments,
with a dominance of black coloring. Some tribes have
embroidered costumes but most save the color and embellishment
for ornate wedding costumes. Women wear rectangular,
black headscarves covering most of their forehead
and all of their hair.
Filming Bedouins in Israel
There is so much to visually excite in this film
topic; from dramatic desert scenes, traditional costumes
and dwellings, to artifacts and photographs.
Documentaries could focus on the changing culture
of the Bedouin and their increasing integration into
Western society. Their culture, although eroding fast,
continues to place reverence on their elders, embraces
storytelling and, of course, prioritizes that famed
Bedouin hospitality.
Documentaries may wish to compare the different generations;
documenting their everyday life and capturing their
individual dreams.
Biblical Productions
Biblical Productions can help you to make a documentary
on Bedouins a success. We can scout the best locations
for you, find a picturesque and authentic village
to visit and identify experts and local characters
to speak about the history and every day lives of
the Bedouin community.
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