If we want to get to know women in the desert, especially in the central region of Sharjah, there is a lot about them in the book “Women in the Desert of the Central Region,” by researcher Khalifa Saif Al Taniji, which was published by the Sharjah Heritage Institute. The book contains a collection of stories about women from the Emirates desert. And from the central desert in Sharjah in particular, who lived through a life before oil, and lived a modest life, but that did not prevent them from assuming their responsibilities towards their society and their families.
The book narrates examples of these stories inspired by living experiences, monitored by Khalifa Al-Tunaiji on a journey that spanned about 35 years with the desert environment and its components, where these women played an integrated and pivotal role, through narrations that reveal for the first time their inexhaustible giving.
The book includes 11 chapters, which include a group of chapters that study women’s society in the desert, and women from the desert to the writings of travelers. The book also deals with stations from this environment, between stories and lessons, and between poems and proverbs, to the professions that women have taken up, passing through the customs of marriage and adornment for women. Bedouinism. The chapters of the book also included mentioning regions named after women, and introducing women from this region who had distinct roles, institutions that cared for them, and so on.
In the context of his talk about Bedouinism and its society, the author of the book emphasizes the important role of the “tribe”, as a unit of the desert before the emergence of the modern state in the Arabian Peninsula, and speaks at length about this topic, referring to the concept of Bedouinism, its characteristics, and the features of its society. He also confirms the role of women in the desert as a role Exceptionally, she created the most wonderful images of effort and generosity in helping her husband, and she wove with her own hands the most wonderful craft of the desert, which is “Al-Sadu,” and she made tent furniture, including mattresses and bolsters for rest and sleep. She also spun wool, and made carpets, bishts, and tents. She also carried out agricultural and dairy products work. She has always remained a wonderful example of giving, vigilance, and good behavior, all of which stems from her love for her husband, her children, and her environment.
Women in Sharjah, especially in the central region, have received great support from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, so the emirate launched many initiatives in this context. These initiatives came in recognition of the importance of their role in building a cohesive and stable society, and the necessity Enabling it to perform its multiple functions, to contribute to the implementation of community development plans and progress.
The Bedouin woman is characterized by a set of characteristics that helped her adapt to her desert environment. She is, as folk tales depict her: “Patient, emotional, obedient, sacrificial, intelligent, and wise. She is also shy and rejects violence. The harshness of Bedouin life has an impact on the woman’s personality, and she derives her status from… Her lineage and origin, and she has always been distinguished by her active role and prominent position in society. She has occupied an important position in economic and productive activities. Her contributions to securing the family’s needs gave her a sense of independence and a sense of value, which increased her self-confidence and lack of dependence on others. All of this prompted her to continue to work. High frequency of activity and preservation of authentic Bedouin customs and traditions.
The author explains how weddings among the Bedouins varied, due to the diversity and differences in customs and traditions of the tribes scattered throughout the Arab world. Despite this disparity, there remain commonalities in these weddings. They are symbols of joy and joy, and between one desert and another, the features of that life are drawn. From the simple life they drew inspiration. Generosity, good hospitality, and receiving and welcoming guests, as detailed in the topic of women’s adornment, which is a beloved characteristic of women at all times, and it is an inherent characteristic of women in order for them to appear in a pleasing image in front of their husbands. The sources of adornment were simple in the Emirates, and they were extracted from nature. One of the most prominent natural products for Emirati women is Arabic kohl, which gives women breathtaking beauty and rare sparkle.
One of the decorative tools is henna, which is widely used in the Arabian Gulf region, and much of what has been transmitted by oral memory in the Emirates confirms the importance of henna and its benefits. Also, according to some sources, it reduces body temperature in the summer, and also when contracting illness.
- In the writings of travelers
Al-Taniji highlights many stories told by many foreign travelers and writers, writings that did justice to Bedouin women. Among these travelers is Max von Oppenheim, who wrote about Bedouin life, through his travels that lasted forty years in Iraq, Syria, northern and central Arabia, Jordan, the Hijaz, and Palestine. Sinai and Shatt al-Arab. Oppenheim expressed his admiration for the respect of men in the desert for women, even from their enemies. He also spoke about the hardships imposed on her, and highlighted the high status that the Bedouin woman enjoyed in her society.
Among the stories that the author mentions is what the traveler Wilfred Thesiger, known as “Mubarak Bin London,” said: “The prevailing belief among the British people is that Arab women do not leave their homes, and this is a true belief for many women in the villages, but it is not true.” As for tribal women, it is impossible for a man to lock his wife in a tent that always has an open door. Rather, he asks her to work, fetch water and firewood, and take care of goats.
Al-Tunaiji also recounts in the book many stories and narratives that came from foreign writers and orientalists, depicting the Bedouin woman in a bright and flawless way bearing the consequences of harsh living, but nevertheless she was up to the responsibility, with what is characterized by her toughness and vitality.
The book talks about many stories of courage and heroism of women in the desert. There are women whose lives are written in the nation’s memory, and there are those who dived in search of pearls in place of her sick brother, and those who returned and took camels, and those who took over the pearl trade after the death of her husband. The author also talks about stories Similar in many neighborhoods, such as the popular neighborhood of Al-Tanij, all of which are inspiring stories about inspiring Bedouin women whose lives deserve to be told, generation after generation.
Quotations
- Tribal customs in the desert played a role in the process of social and moral control.
- Bedouins derive their stability, strength and existence from constitutions that are passed down orally from generation to generation.
- Most Bedouin women have a wealth of interesting folk tales that they tell their daughters.
- Bedouin women are characterized by many characteristics that helped them adapt to their desert environment.
- Bedouin women have a prominent and profound role, time and place, in the process of community building and establishing a decent life.
- The establishment of the Union strengthened the status of women and raised their status, and established legal and legislative frameworks that elevated their status.