Bedouin Towns between Governmental and Alternative Planning: Aspects of Applied Anthropology. Practicing Anthropology 2006, Vol.28 (3):16-18

Abu Rabia A.

PRACTICING ANTHROPOLOGY, vol.28, no.3, pp.16-18, 2006 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Journal Name: PRACTICING ANTHROPOLOGY
  • Page Numbers: pp.16-18
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The Negev comprises 12,500 sq. km. This area is defined as semi-arid and serves the Bedouin population for dwelling, grazing and dry farming. The location is characterized by diverse flora and fauna. The lack of stability in the amount of rainfall and its regional and seasonal distribution affect the flora, the fauna and the lives of the Bedouin. The average rainfall in this location fluctuates between 150-200mm. Within this brittle environment the garden will be located in the lands of Abu-Rabia tribe, 33 km from Beer-Sheva, Negev. The garden’s land area will be about 50 dunams, with the option to be extended up to 200 dunams. The land is donated by the Abu- Rabia Family in memory of our father Sheikh Ibrahim Salem Abu-Rabia.

Bedouin culture and tradition spans centuries of history and as a minority within a modern western-orientated state, if this history and culture is not preserved its continuity may be threatened. The Firdaws al-Hikma: Garden for Medici- nal, Aromatic and Food Plants in the Negev will serve as a center for learning, preservation and promotion of alternative health and Bedouin culture and tradition. It is important that this Garden is realized to promote more co-existence between the state and its traditional minorities, such as the Bedouin.