Page 152 - Arabian Studies (I)

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Away from the oases, the nomad was supreme. Tribal groupings
had their clearly defined grazing lands, and, within the prescribed
limits, the nomad moved from one area to another depending upon
the quality of the range. The nomad’s existence was very much
related to the pattern of rainfall and availability of drinking supplies,
though close links with the oases were maintained. Often, some of
the holdings within the oasis area belonged to nomads who employed
the sedentary oasis inhabitants to cultivate the date palms.
Since the first commercial quantities of oil were discovered near
Dammam in 1938, technological society has impinged increasingly
on the ecosystem. Not only have there been direct effects on the
environment caused by the oil wells and flares, by communications,
etc. but also both the oasis society and, to a lesser extent, the nomadic
society have been affected by technological advancement which has
caused a re-assessment of man’s relationship with his environment.

Oasis Society

The oases of eastern Saudi Arabia are amongst the largest in the
world. Al-Hasa oasis now covers approximately 8,000 hectares
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