Page 11 - Arabiab Studies (IV)

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Sedenterisation and
Settlement of the Bedouin

Sa ‘Id Salman Abu ‘Adhirah

I do not know the exact date when projects for sedenterisation of
the Bedouin started in the Arab countries, but do not think such
projects existed twenty years ago. It was in 1962 that they started
in Jordan, and this was followed by three other Arab countries,
including Saudi Arabia. Similar projects existed in Egypt but their
aim was not only to settle Bedouin but to reclaim land, and only a
few Bedouin were involved. Sedenterisation projects—which killed
the Bedouin heritage and eradicated Bedouin tribal
society—seemed at the beginning to be for the welfare of the
Bedouin as they entailed attractive promises and brought wide
hopes for a transfer from the life of hardship and misery to an
undreamt of life of happiness and comfort.
Pioneer projects were set up to convince them of the promises
made by the officials. Land was tilled and divided up into farms
upon which houses were built and distributed to some of the
leading families (Dhawu kalimah masmu'ah) close to the ruling
circles.
In principle these pioneer projects were very successful, parti­
cularly during the first five years when the farmers or Bedouin
settlers started to reap the fruits of these plans through the sale of
their crops, particularly lucerne and vegetables, and through the
wages the settler families received from the Government in return
for their work in these agricultural units.
The State, as represented in the Ministry of Agriculture, was
responsible for organising all agricultural operations and its
officials worked unstintingly, hastening to offer aid and advice in
difficulties, great or small. The only part played by the Bedouin
was to divert channelled water from one basin to another, on one
day in every two or three weeks. It was in fact excellent work and
an unrivalled opportunity, especially since all agricultural
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