Israel Trip 2018 Repo 5 - Badouwin Camp

on 5th, January, we stayed in the midst of the desert, one of the Badouwin Camp 

what is Badouwin?

the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Badouwin shepherd. I will talk about this more later, some day. haha

Badouwin is a group of Arab people, who used to live dwell in the desert. When Israel declared indepedance, and formed their country, they took over the Negev desert. but the Arab people who were already dwelling there did not want to leave their homeland. they willingly offered to join the Israel nationality so that they could still live in the desert. I was quite surprised that they want to live in the desert, because there was literally nothing in the desert.... when our bus was driving towards the camp, I was so worried about this place where I would stay, because what I could see in my eyes was only desert..........but one interesting thing was that, the camp fee was even more expensive than all the hotels we stayed during the whole trip. anyway, so, because all the desert I saw, I couldn't figure out why there would be people who wanted to dwell in the desert, and even didn't want to leave the desert. I just could not understand!!!!

see such a desert

 

the original plan was that all the single brothers stay in one tent, and all the single sisters stay in another tent. but when I saw the tent, I was a bit worried....... basically there was one big tent, with a curtain in the middle. and we actually could see each other through the curtain. the weather was windy and raining. I looked at the tent shaken so bad by the wind. I was really worried........

 

so Josephine and I paid another 120 shekels each person to upgrade to a cabin. and I think the money was quite worthwhile, because I really liked how they decorated the cabin room. all the details were really nice and interesting. 

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before dinner time, there came one Badouwin man to talk with us, introducing us Badouwin culture and tradition. He made us coffee and tea. I have to say, the coffee was terrible, but the tea was really nice!!!! I like its sweet favour. 

below are a brief summary of what this gentleman talked to us. 

1. now most of them live in big houses. in the ancient, oh maybe not that ancient, in past times, they all lived in tents. because of the climate, they usually have two tents, which are made by women. one tent, which is made of something like cotton, for summer time; and another tent, which is made with the skin of black goat, for winter time. in summer, they put tents on high places, and open all the four sides to allow the wind to come in and pass through, like natural fresh air conditioner. in winter, the skin of black goat helps to keep warm, also water proof.

2. the Badouwin is well known for hospitality. they are quite nice and accommodating people. when the guest comes near the tent, they will usually cough first outside the tent. when the family hear the cough, the wife and children will move to the other side of the tent, and then drop the separation, so the tent will be parted into two rooms. the husband will stay and invite the guest to come into the tent, and he will chat with the guest. sometimes, the other room may be a bit too nosiy, the husband will cough. interesting thing is that, in the past, the wife and children would become quiet if they hear the cough of the husband. but nowadays, they will ask him to go to the hospital. the family will also observe the shoes of the guest to discern how long he will stay. if the guest come in with the shoes on, he is a hurry guest, maybe just stay for a coffee or afternoon tea. if the guest takes off the shoes, he will stay more than 3 days, so the family will need to prepare enough food for him. but nowadays, the children will only see what brand of shoes the guest is wearing. in order to honor or respect the guest, the father will start to cook the coffee beans or tea leaves and prepare coffee or tea in front of the guest, so the guest will know what he drinks is not from cheap instant coffee. they have certain meaning for the first three cups. first cup means "welcoming"; second cup means "no one can insult you"; third cup "for fun". if the guest still wants the next cup, he will lift up the cup. but if the guest doesn't want any more, he will shake the cup with his hand.

4. how do the boys and girls get married? there is a well, where all the young and single girls will go there to draw water, of course they will be wearing a veil to cover the face. usually, the boy who is looking for a future wife will come to the well with his transport instrument. there are three ranks of transport: a donkey ( equal to today's Nissan); a horse (equal to Benz); a camel ( like BMW). the girls will have a rough idea of the family situation of the boy through these three instruments. the boy will go to the girl, and ask for some water, which shows that he is interested in this girl. if the girl is also interested in the boy, she will "accidentally" drop her veil to let the boy see her face. otherwise, she will not drop the veil if she is not interested. after seeing the girl's face, the boy will go home and talk to his mother, if he still likes the girl. then the boy's mother will bring two or three middle-aged women with her, to check this girl. if the mother is happy with this girl to be her daughter-in-law, the mother will talk to the father. and then the father will bring some respectable people to go to the family to reveal their intention for the gill, and then they will start to plan for the wedding if both are happy. they will build a big tent as the wedding ceremony venue. the people will come to eat and enjoy the wedding with gifts and presents.